Breaking: Auburn’s Miles Kelly Named National Player of the Year by Athletic News
In a thrilling development for Auburn basketball fans and the college hoops world alike, junior guard Miles Kelly has been named the National Player of the Year by *Athletic News*. The honor recognizes Kelly’s dominant season and his immense contribution to the Auburn Tigers’ success in the 2024–25 NCAA basketball season.
Kelly, who transferred to Auburn last year from Georgia Tech, quickly became the heart and soul of the Tigers’ roster. Known for his explosive scoring ability, elite perimeter defense, and clutch leadership, Kelly led the team to one of its most successful seasons in recent memory. Auburn finished the regular season with a 28–5 record, secured a top-three seed in the NCAA tournament, and made a deep postseason run, thanks in large part to Kelly’s consistency and star power.
The *Athletic News* committee praised Kelly not just for his numbers, but for his intangibles. “Miles Kelly exemplified everything you want in a Player of the Year,” the organization stated. “He elevated his teammates, showed poise under pressure, and performed at an elite level in every major game. His leadership and talent were undeniable.”
Kelly averaged 21.4 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game while shooting 48% from the field and nearly 40% from beyond the arc. He also averaged 1.9 steals per game, making him one of the most complete two-way players in the country. His 35-point explosion against Kentucky in January, and his game-winning three-pointer in double-overtime versus Tennessee, are already being remembered as iconic moments in Auburn basketball history.
Speaking to reporters after receiving the award, Kelly was humble and thankful. “I’m truly honored to be named National Player of the Year,” he said. “None of this would’ve been possible without my coaches, teammates, and the Auburn family who believed in me. I just wanted to go out there every night and give my all.”
Head coach Bruce Pearl was effusive in his praise for Kelly. “Miles is one of the hardest-working, most determined players I’ve ever coached,” Pearl said. “He transformed our team the moment he stepped on campus. He deserves every bit of this recognition.”
Kelly’s rise to national prominence has been anything but conventional. Originally from Stone Mountain, Georgia, he was lightly recruited out of high school and spent two seasons at Georgia Tech, where he showed flashes of potential. His decision to transfer to Auburn was a game-changer—for both himself and the program. Under Pearl’s guidance, Kelly blossomed into one of the premier guards in the country.
His performance has also sparked interest from NBA scouts, with many projecting him as a potential lottery pick in the upcoming NBA Draft. However, Kelly has not yet made a public decision on whether he will declare for the draft or return for his senior season.
Regardless of his future plans, Kelly’s legacy at Auburn is already secure. He becomes just the second player in program history to earn National Player of the Year honors, following in the footsteps of Charles Barkley, who won the award in 1984.
The award caps a dream season for both Kelly and the Tigers, who have re-established themselves as a national powerhouse. As Auburn fans celebrate this historic moment, one thing is clear: Miles Kelly’s name will be remembered for years to come—not just on the Plains, but across the entire college basketball landscape.
