Auburn basketball is on the brink of a new era, and it’s all thanks to one name: Keyshawn Hall. But here’s where it gets controversial—despite his undeniable talent, Hall is still flying under the radar in the college basketball world. Is he being overlooked, or is this the calm before the storm? Let’s dive in.
After a mass exodus from last season’s Final Four roster, Auburn found itself in a familiar yet daunting position: rebuild and reload. With only point guard Tahaad Pettiford returning after testing the NBA Draft waters, the Tigers faced a monumental task—assembling a championship-caliber team capable of dominating the relentless SEC. Enter the transfer portal and high school recruits, where Auburn struck gold. Their portal haul ranked ninth nationally, according to 247Sports, with Keyshawn Hall from UCF stealing the spotlight.
Standing at 6-foot-7 and weighing 240 pounds, Hall wasn’t just a pickup—he was a statement. His commitment during Auburn’s Final Four run in San Antonio sent shockwaves through the college basketball scene. Last season, he led the Big 12 in scoring with 18.8 points per game and pulled down a team-high 7.1 rebounds for the Knights. And this is the part most people miss—Hall isn’t just another elite forward; he’s a hybrid of Auburn’s past stars like Chuma Okeke, JT Thor, Jabari Smith, and Johni Broome.
Head coach Steven Pearl couldn’t be more excited. ‘Keyshawn has elements of all those guys,’ Pearl said. ‘What sets him apart is his ability to handle the ball. He can drive to the rim, create contact, and finish through it. He’s quick, versatile, and a unique blend of everything we’ve loved about our past forwards.’
Hall’s prowess isn’t limited to scoring. He’s a foul-drawing machine, shooting 81.6% from the free-throw line last season and setting a UCF record with 199 made free throws. In eight games, he knocked down 10 or more free throws, including a 14-for-14 performance against Oklahoma State. ‘He’s going to live at the foul line,’ Pearl added. ‘Just like Johni, he draws contact effortlessly and shoots at a high clip. His versatility is off the charts.’
Yet, despite his accolades, Hall remains underrated. On3 Sports ranked him a mere 81st in their top 100 players for the 2025-26 season—a snub he’s using as fuel. ‘He sees those headlines,’ Pearl said. ‘He’s hungry. He’s ready to prove everyone wrong.’
Hall’s Auburn debut is set for Wednesday night in an exhibition game against Oklahoma State at Boutwell Auditorium, tipping off at 7 p.m. Will he live up to the hype? Or will he surpass it entirely? Here’s the bold question—is Keyshawn Hall the most underrated player in college basketball right now? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
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