Just hours after receiving a signed letter of intent from 5-star guard Tahaad Pettiford, Bruce Pearl and the Auburn men’s basketball program were on the receiving end of more good news as 4-star small forward Jahki Howard announced his commitment to the Tigers late Wednesday morning.

Howard, who ranks among the top 35 small forwards in the 2024 class according to 247Sports, Rivals and On3, chose the Tigers over Arkansas, Arizona State and Georgia Tech.

“That’s close to the family,” Howard said of Auburn in an interview with On3′s Joe Tipton. “Bruce Pearl is a intense guy. That’s the type of person I’m like. I’m like I like to yell. I like to play defense and the energy. He likes to energize and I love that. I love him as a coach.”

Pearl and the Tigers were quick to get involved in the recruitment of the 6-foot-6 small forward, first offering Howard on Feb. 22, 2021. At the time, Rutgers and Florida were Howard’s only two other offers.

Since then, Howard has hauled in offers from 19 other programs, but none were able to beat out Pearl and the Tigers, who were visited by Howard on Nov. 4.

Howard’s visit to The Plains came on the heels of a strong performance during an Overtime Elite showcase on Nov. 3 that saw him tally 21 points and seven rebounds, while leading his team to a 101-67 win.

With his commitment Wednesday morning, Howard joins Pettiford as Auburn’s pair of 2024 additions to date.