Bruce Pearl lists playing time as main factor in K.D. Johnson transferring

After three years at Auburn and four years in the SEC, Bruce Pearl wished veteran guard KD Johnson well as he entered the transfer portal to search for a new home in his final year.

Johnson was a roller-coaster experience on the court, never lacking flair or intensity. He started 31 games for the 2022 team that won the SEC and earned a No. 2 seed in the NCAA Tournament, then came off the bench for two more tourney teams in 2023 and 2024. But now he’s looking for a program that can let him lead the way in a larger role than he had with the Tigers.

When addressing media following the season, Bruce Pearl explained the conversations he and Johnson had while praising him for his contributions on the court.

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“I want to congratulate KD on three years of being in the NCAA Tournament, a regular season championship, a tournament championship, it’s a pretty good three-year run. It really is,” said Pearl, who then broke down why Johnson’s decision ultimately was made.

“What I anticipated in my meetings with KD was that our roster, in the backcourt, particularly with Denver Jones returning, it’s going to be a little bit more of the same for KD. In other words: coming off the bench, not quite being able to play as freely as he would have liked to play. Just only so many minutes, only so much opportunity, and then with a chance of perhaps having a lot of other guys back who are also really good.”

So for Johnson, per Pearl, perhaps it does make more sense to go and see what other opportunities are out there rather than spend half the game on the bench while not starting for a third straight season.

“We just talked about the fact that… would would the joy of the game be more if perhaps he was someplace else and had more of an opportunity to do more of what KD does?” Pearl asked, adding, “our discussion was really good.”

Sounds like that is the plan for Johnson, but Bruce Pearl revealed that the longtime Tiger guard would like to eventually come back and complete his degree at the University of Auburn.

“KD Johnson will return to Auburn to receive his degree when the time comes. He’s really close to his degree and he perhaps could go someplace else and maybe get that degree in this next year, but he really wants an Auburn degree. So does his family. So, when he’s done playing wherever he goes and plays, we’re going to make that happen.”

Academically, KD Johnson will graduate as an Auburn Tiger.