Track Auburn basketball's offseason roster movement as Bruce Pearl builds 2022-23 team

AUBURN — With the 2021-22 college basketball season over, Auburn is in the process of reloading. Can the Tigers build on a regular-season Southeastern Conference championship?

For the returners, there's unfinished business after Auburn (28-6) entered the NCAA Tournament as a No. 2 seed then lost in the second round. Roster spots opened up for newcomers, too. Bruce Pearl used 12 of his maximum 13 scholarships last season. He's losing his two best players.

As of April 30, Auburn has filled 12 of its 13 scholarships for the 2022-23 season.

Track all offseason movement here.

Scholarship departures

Jabari Smith, freshman forward: Auburn's highest-rated recruit in program history is a contender for the No. 1 overall NBA Draft pick after averaging 16.9 points on 42% 3-point shooting in his lone college season.

Walker Kessler, sophomore center: With two triple-doubles and a 19.1% individual block rate at Auburn, Kessler skyrocketed into first-round projections after transferring from North Carolina. He was Naismith Defensive Player of the Year.

Devan Cambridge, junior wing: "Bounceman" started in nonconference play but came off the bench after Allen Flanigan recovered from an Achilles injury. Cambridge is transferring to Arizona State, joining his brother.

Preston Cook, senior guard: An Auburn High School alum and former walk-on, Cook was celebrated on senior day and entered the portal as a graduate transfer.

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Incoming freshmen:

Yohan Traore, forward/center: The No. 15 overall prospect in the 2022 class, Traore can play the four or five. He seems more likely to take Kessler's place as a face-up starting center. Traore decommitted from LSU after Will Wade was fired in March.

Chance Westry, guard: Westry is the No. 5 recruit in Auburn history at No. 31 overall in the 2022 class. He's 6-foot-6 but can play any position from point guard to small forward.

Tre Donaldson, guard: Donaldson is a multi-sport athlete also signed with Bryan Harsin's football program. In basketball, the 6-1 Tallahassee native will be a bench option at point guard.

Incoming transfers

Johni Broome, forward: The 6-foot-10 Morehead State freshman was one of the best big men in the transfer portal. He averaged 16.8 points, 10.5 rebounds and 3.9 blocks — third in the country behind Auburn's Kessler. Broome is a likely starter.

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Returners

Zep Jasper, senior guard: Despite a lack of scoring production (5.1 points), Jasper was Auburn's starting point guard thanks to just 1.36 turnovers per 40 minutes. Pearl called him the SEC's best perimeter defender. Jasper returns one more year while getting a master's.

K.D. Johnson, sophomore guard: The Georgia transfer needs to improve his 3-point shot after a 29% season, but Johnson still averaged 12.3 points and 1.9 steals. He's an undersized guard but a tough shot creator in isolation.

Wendell Green Jr., sophomore guard: Auburn's sixth man and closer is a perfect fit for Pearl's pick-and-roll offense. Green regressed in his 3-point shooting (31.7%), where he has logo range, but he improved his defense.

Allen Flanigan, junior wing: When Flanigan returned in late December, he was never the same. His scoring average dropped by eight. He was turnover-prone. He earned starting minutes with his defense. Big wild card on next season's roster. Testing NBA Draft waters.

Jaylin Williams, junior forward: Williams was quietly efficient in diminished minutes, and as of early April, he's the likely choice to replace Smith's starting role. An unenviable task, but Williams shot 4-for-5 on 3-pointers in March Madness.

Chris Moore, sophomore forward: The 6-7 Moore scored 1.7 points in 7.5 minutes per game. Will this be the year that former Mr. Arkansas Basketball sees an increased role?

Dylan Cardwell, sophomore center: The fan favorite blocked 4.3 shots per 40 minutes, but Cardwell’s defense otherwise needs a lot of work. He averaged 11.5 minutes. Testing NBA Draft waters.

Babatunde "Stretch" Akingbola, X center: It was thought that Akingbola would have a more sturdy presence in Pearl's deep lineup, but he only appeared in six games.

This story will be updated as Auburn undergoes any potential roster changes throughout the offseason.