Positional Preview: Forwards – The Auburn Plainsman

Auburn returns most of its offensive players from last season with a few new additions and one key loss that will require someone or several players to step up.

Auburn lost its second-best player from last year in forward Jaylin Williams, who went undrafted in the NBA draft but was signed by the Denver Nuggets last summer and played on their summer league team. He averaged 12.4 points per game and shot 57.4% from the field and 39.5% from 3-point range as Auburn’s starting center for 33 of the 34 games he played last year. Williams played a big role on both ends of the court and will be missed by Auburn.

The Tigers brought in one piece from the transfer portal and one freshman to help their forwards for the season. Through the portal, they brought in senior Jaheim Hudson, who transferred from SMU. Auburn then brought in a four-star freshman in Jahki Howard, who was ranked 61st in the class of 2024 according to 247Sports.

Forward:

Chad Baker-Mazara

Baker-Mazara is a 6-foot-1 senior forward who does so many things well on the basketball court. He defends at a high level, is an elite shooter and is elite in transition. And he may be the best energy man in the country. Baker-Mazara started on the bench last year, but by the end of the season he found himself in the starting lineup and lighting up opponents. He finished the year averaging 10 ppg, 3.7 rpg and 2.2 apg. He shot 45.2% from the field and 41.8% from 3-point range and 87.6% from the free throw line. The left-hander should be in Auburn’s starting lineup this year and because he is an elite two-way wing, he should help Auburn become one of the best teams in the country.

Chaney Johnson

Johnson is also a 6-foot-1 senior forward who didn’t get as much playing time as other players last season but saw the most minutes when he did play. He is an underrated athlete and good defender and does a lot of little things well. When Jaylin Williams went down with an injury, Johnson started two games and had a season-high 16 points against Georgia. Johnson averaged 4.7 ppg (3.4 rpg) on ​​the year while shooting 50.0% from the field and 27.3% from three-point range. Johnson will be looked to fill some of Williams’ role this year and if he can continue to improve his offensive game, especially his shooting from outside, Johnson could be the most improved player on Auburn’s roster.

Chris Moore

Moore has been a key part of the Auburn program for the past four years and returns for his fifth year. Moore is a veteran who started most of last year’s season and does a lot of things that don’t show up in the stats. He averaged 2.5 ppg 1.8 rpg and shot 47.7% from the field and 26.1% from 3-point range. Moore is the definition of a glue man and makes his impact felt when he is on the field. If he can become more consistent from beyond the arc, he will be a major contributor for the Tigers this year.

Jaheim Hudson

Hudson is a 6-foot-1 senior forward who transferred from SMU this season. He will also try to help Johnson fill Williams’ vacancy. Hudson averaged 5.4 ppg 3.4 rpg last year while shooting 43.4% from the field and 32.1% from three. Hudson is a good rebounder and has a solid offensive game. If he can shoot and defend well, he will be a valuable piece to the Auburn rotation.

Jahki Howard

Finally, freshman Howard, who stands at 6-foot-1, is perhaps the most athletic and explosive player in college basketball. Howard is from Boston, Massachusetts, but played high school ball in the Overtime Elite League in Atlanta, Georgia. He averaged 15.1 points per game while shooting 43.6% from the field and 26.5% from deep for the City Reapers. Howard is known for his elite defense, especially on the ball, and his high-flying dunks in transition. It appears Howard has improved his jump shot and could make an early impact for the Tigers on both ends of the floor.

Auburn has a great group of forwards heading into this season who all have unique skills that will benefit the Tigers in multiple ways. If these guys can continue to improve from beyond the arc as the year progresses, Auburn will be an extremely dangerous team with the two-way skills of all five of these players.