Here’s a paraphrased version of your passage:
The Auburn Tigers delivered an impressive performance this past season, spearheaded by Naismith Player of the Year finalists Johni Broome and standout freshman Tahaad Pettiford.
The Tigers wrapped up the year with a school-best 32 victories, notching wins over Michigan State, Michigan, Creighton, and Alabama State on their journey to the Final Four.
Their championship hopes came to an end in the national semifinals, where they fell to eventual title-winners, the Florida Gators.
Following the heartbreaking loss, several Auburn players have begun announcing their future plans—some choosing to enter the transfer portal, others declaring for the 2025 NBA Draft.
Among them, Pettiford—one of the SEC’s top freshmen—has opted to forgo his remaining college eligibility and declare for the draft.
He shared a heartfelt message on social media, thanking head coach Bruce Pearl and the Auburn community, and bidding farewell.
Pettiford emphasized that no matter what the future holds or whether he ends up returning, Auburn will always be a place he calls home.
“First and foremost, I want to thank God for guiding me every step of the way,” Pettiford said. “I’m extremely thankful for my parents, coaches, and teammates—they’ve all played a huge part in helping me get to this point. I wouldn’t be here without them.”
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