Auburn star point guard Tahaad Pettiford made headlines on Saturday, but not for anything basketball related.

He was arrested and charged with driving under the influence (alcohol) in Lee County early Saturday morning.

“We are aware of the situation and we will handle internally with Tahaad and his family,” head coach Bruce Pearl said in a statement to AL.com. “We take these matters seriously and will learn and grow from it moving forward.”

Pettiford took to social media to make his own statement Saturday night, apologizing for the arrest.

“Last night, I made a serious mistake and one that I take full responsibility for,” the post read. “My actions put myself and others at risk, and for that, I’m deeply sorry. There is no excuse.

“To my family, teammates, coaches, and fans, I know I’ve let you down. I understand the disappointment and concern that this has caused, and I want you to know that I’m taking this seriously. This is not who I am, and not who I will be.

“I’m committed to learning from this moment and making meaningful, positive changes in my life. I’m grateful for the support and accountability of those around me, and I will work to earn back the trust I’ve lost.”

During his breakout freshman season, Pettiford averaged 11.6 points and three assists per game, helping lead Auburn to the Final Four.

Pettiford was the only Auburn player to return for the 2025-2026 season. He announced his return in May after initially declaring for the NBA Draft while maintaining his college eligibility.

Peter Rauterkus covers Auburn sports for AL.com. You can follow him on X at @peter_rauterkus or email him at [email protected]m