The two Auburn Tigers whose violent altercation caused the team’s flight to turn back Friday night have been unmasked.
A plane carrying the Auburn men’s basketball team had to be diverted back to Alabama after violence broke out on board during the Tigers’ journey to Houston ahead of Saturday’s game against the No 4 Cougars.
The plane turned back to Auburn 45 minutes into the journey, with air traffic control audio detailing a fight involving ‘a bunch of basketball players.’
The brawling basketballers have now been identified as freshman Jahki Howard and senior Ja’Heim Hudson, according to Jeff Goodman.
Both disgraced players were left in Auburn as the Tigers secured a second flight to Houston, which finally arrived Friday night. They’re status beyond this weekend is reportedly yet to be determined.
Freshman Jahki Howard (L) and senior Ja’Heim Hudson (R) have reportedly been identified as the Auburn men’s basketball players who fought mid-flight Friday
Head coach Bruce Pearl is yet to comment about the alleged incident on the flight to Houston
The pair are both reserves with Hudson transferring to Auburn from SMU this year.
The forward, who also played two years at Georgia State, has averaged 20.4 minutes and 6.8 points across his collegiate career.
So far for the Tigers, the 6-foot-7 senior has scored two points in 15 minutes played during their season opener against Vermont.
Meanwhile, Howard, a four-star recruit, played 20 minutes for the Tigers in their season-opening blowout win, scoring seven points.
Initial reports from Friday night had suggested that three players were involved in the altercation, which ‘nearly turned into a free-for-all brawl’.
College basketball insider Goodman reported that there was ‘horseplay’ between the Auburn players, and officials believed it ‘could have escalated into a fight.’
Auburn officials have yet to make any comment on the alleged mid-air violence, and mystery still surrounds the details over why it occurred.
Auburn are currently 1-0 for the season and ranked No 11 heading into their first road trip of the season.
The team beat Vermont 94-43 in a blowout season opener, with Miles Kelly scoring 21 points, and Denver Jones getting 16.
