Auburn Basketball Players Staying Home Due to Mid-Flight Altercation
Credit: Auburn University Athletics
By Tucker Harlin
SEC basketball got weird on Friday.
In addition to the alleged stalking activities in Gainesville, there was an incident in Auburn just a few hours later. No, it didn’t involve barbecue.
As the Tigers’ team plane was over Montgomery, AL en route to Houston, freshman forward Jahki Howard and senior forward Ja’Heim Hudson were involved in a physical altercation with one another.
The circling flight path of the team plane to and from Auburn was released hours later, along with air traffic control audio as the plane returned to Auburn.
The pilot said one of the players’ clothes were ripped while another looked bloodied.
The audio recording from Live ATC of the Auburn basketball team flight diversion @abc3340
— Chris McCulley (@ChrisMcCulleyTV) November 9, 2024
"Is there a reason for the change? Well that's the- the fight is being contained. We've talked to the coach, and then there's a nurse on board. We've talked to them. So let's just, let's… pic.twitter.com/VC2K8ZRrLK
It was announced Saturday morning both Howard and Hudson didn’t make the trip to Houston.
The two Auburn players involved in the incident on the plane last night were a pair of reserves - freshman Jahki Howard and senior Ja’Heim Hudson, source told @thefieldof68.
— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanHoops) November 9, 2024
Neither traveled with the team to Houston … on the second flight which arrived last night.
Auburn…
Howard and Hudson played extended minutes in Auburn’s 94-43 win over Vermont Wednesday. Howard scored seven points and secured four boards in 20 minutes while Hudson scored a basket, grabbed two rebounds, and netted two assists.
