George Kimbell ‘fits the mold’ for Auburn basketball

Auburn basketball met its transfer portal needs by adding size to its frontcourt. Steven Pearl also provided relief for his returning guards by landing Vanderbilt transfer George Kimble III.

Kimble produced quality numbers as a sophomore at Eastern Kentucky in the 2024-25 season, averaging 18 points and 2.6 steals over 25 games. He decided to take a leap of faith by transferring to Vanderbilt after his strong first season in the NCAA, but a knee injury kept him from playing during the 2025-26 season. He was only able to participate in practice during Vanderbilt's NCAA March Madness run as a piece of the Commodores' scout team, according to a report by Sports Illustrated in March, but spent most of his time in Nashville working in the weight room and studying the game.

Kimble elected to enter the transfer portal in hopes of finding a fresh start and has found a new home with the Auburn Tigers. Auburn head coach Steven Pearl details why Kimble is a "perfect fit" for his squad.

“This program has been built by players with a chip on their shoulder and something to prove, and George fits that mold perfectly,” Pearl said of Kimble.

Another advantage of Kimble's new situation is that he will get to compete alongside Tahaad Pettiford and Kevin Overton at guard, which will, in turn, create intensity in practice and in games.

“While some may shy away from competition with a returning backcourt of Tahaad Pettiford and Kevin Overton, George embraces it," Pearl said. "He sees it as a chance to push himself and his teammates. Iron sharpens iron, and we are excited for George to show the basketball world what it missed this past year.”

Kimble is one of five transfers Auburn added through the transfer portal, and is the lone guard. He joins forwards Adam Olsen (South Alabama), Thomas Dowd (Troy), Owen Freeman (Creighton), and Bukky Oboye (Santa Clara) in joining Auburn's roster though the transfer portal.

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