Auburn is looking for a new basketball general manager just days before the 2026-27 campaign gets started.
The Tigers fired general manager Brian Kloman after a recruiting issue regarding Lithuanian wing Mantas Rubstavicius, according to On3’s Justin Hokanson.
The issue has to do with Rubstavicius’ college eligibility. The 24-year-old was attempting to head to Auburn to play this season despite having played professionally in Lithuania previously, and he had filed a lawsuit against the NCAA earlier this month in order to do so. But, according to On3, it was revealed that Rubstavicius had previously attended college courses in Lithuania before playing professional ball.
The Auburn program and the school were unaware of that fact until late last week, per the report, which further complicated his eligibility battle. So on Monday, Rubstavicius opted to withdraw his lawsuit and will now head back to Europe to play professionally there again.
“Mantas is an exceptional young man with a bright future ahead of him,” Auburn coachAuburn GM Brian Kloman reportedly firedSteven Pearl said in a statement to AuburnSports. “We appreciate the time he spent as part of the Auburn basketball family and wish him nothing but success as he takes this next step in his career. We look forward to following his success both on and off the court.”
Kloman was fired over the incident, as he reportedly was aware of Rubstavicius’ previous college coursework but did not inform anyone else at Auburn. Kloman was only hired in March after a previous stint at Louisville.
Auburn went 22-16 and missed the NCAA tournament last season, the first under Steven’s watch after he took over for his father, Bruce Pearl. The Tigers will open the season next Wednesday against Southeast Louisiana.
While the loss of a college general manager shouldn’t send a program immediately into chaos, the timing of it is undoubtedly poor. And Rubstavicius would have provided a huge boost for the Tigers this season. Now, Steven will have to lead his program without either of them available.
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