By ADAM ZAGORIA
Tahaad Pettiford, the 6-foot Class of 2024 point guard from Hudson (N.J.) Catholic and the NY Lightning, committed to Auburn on Wednesday.
He also listed Kansas, Kentucky, Ole Miss, Seton Hall, UCLA and UConn. He visited Auburn in October.
Pettiford, who is out this season with a knee injury, is ranked as the No. 21 overall player and No. 2 overall point guard, according to 247 Sports’ Composite rankings.
“I chose Auburn because I feel like Coach Bruce Pearl is going to prepare me for the next level,” Pettiford told On3. “I loved the environment and the energy on campus from everyone. It made me feel like it was a second home.”
He added: “I’m a scoring point guard that can get my teammates involved and make a big play when needed. I also bring a lot of energy on the court and love to win.”
Pettiford was recruited by New Jersey native and Tigers assistant Ira Bowman, who also recruited Isaac Okoro, JT Thor. Devan Cambridge, Sharife Cooper , Jabari Smith Jr, Chance Westry and Aden Holloway.
“That relationship is really good, they keep in contact a lot,” Tahaad Pettiford told 247Sports.com. “They’re always looking out for me, making sure me and my family are okay. They see how I’m doing in school, seeing if I’m staying in the gym and staying on the right path. It’s a guard school they, let their guards go, they don’t run a lot sets. l get up the floor and go. I like that type of style.”
His Hudson Catholic teammate, Class of 2023 guard Elijah Gertrude, committed to Virginia in September.
“Tahaad is the most electric guard to come through our program in a long time,” said Lightning director Shandue McNeil. “His ability to finish in traffic is second to none and shooting from distance is elite. He’s earned everything, nothing was given to Tahaad.”
He joins four-star big man Peyton Marshall in Auburn’s 2024 class.
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