1/2 🧵 1/6 🧵 Auburn senior forward KeShawn Murphy ghosted his team before their NIT opener — didn't show up, didn't practice Monday, didn't tell anyone he was bailing. Coach Steven Pearl found out the hard way: game time, no Murphy.
2/6 🧵 Murphy averaged 10.7 points and 6.8 rebounds this season after transferring from Mississippi State. Started 29 of 31 games, dropped 25 points against Kentucky in February. Then Auburn missed the NCAA Tournament, got an NIT bid, and Murphy vanished.
3/6 🧵 Pearl's reaction was gracious but firm: "Murph has decided not to play in these games and I'm not sure why. We love Murph... but I got nothing but love for Murph. Came here and wanted to try to make history for Auburn, and he ultimately decided not to play."