Auburn basketball has found itself in the middle of an unexpected controversy, and the latest development has created another headache for head coach Steven Pearl. The Tigers have reportedly fired general manager Brian Kloman following concerns surrounding international guard Mantas Rubstavicius and his eligibility to compete in college basketball.
The decision, reported by Justin Hokanson of AuburnSports, represents a significant setback for Auburn as the program prepares for another season in an increasingly competitive SEC.
For Kentucky fans, the situation offers another storyline to follow involving one of the Wildcats’ conference rivals. While Kentucky has dealt with its own challenges under Mark Pope, Auburn is now facing questions about how its basketball operations handled a sensitive eligibility matter.
An Eligibility Dispute Takes an Unexpected Turn
The controversy centers on Rubstavicius, who had been attempting to secure eligibility to play for Auburn. According to the original report, attorneys recently discovered that the international guard had taken college-level classes in Lithuania before beginning his professional basketball career.
That revelation raised questions about his eligibility and complicated Auburn’s efforts to get him cleared to compete.
The more significant issue reportedly involved Kloman’s knowledge of the situation. According to the report, Auburn’s general manager was aware of the guard’s academic history but did not disclose the information to university officials.
After the school learned about the circumstances, Auburn decided to fire Kloman and withdraw its lawsuit seeking to establish Rubstavicius’ eligibility.
The decision effectively ended the program’s legal effort to get the guard on the court.
With his college eligibility still unresolved, Rubstavicius has reportedly chosen to pursue an opportunity to continue his basketball career in Europe rather than wait for the dispute to be settled.
Steven Pearl Faces Another Difficult Situation
Kloman’s departure is particularly notable because of his previous experience working alongside Louisville head coach Pat Kelsey.
The two reportedly shared an 11-year coaching relationship, and Kloman helped Kelsey build Louisville’s roster before leaving for Auburn during the offseason.
His experience made him an important addition to Auburn’s basketball operations department. Losing him under these circumstances creates another challenge for Steven Pearl as he works to establish himself as the program’s leader.
General managers have become increasingly valuable in college basketball, where recruiting, transfer-portal decisions, player compensation and eligibility questions require careful coordination. Auburn’s situation demonstrates how a breakdown in communication can have consequences extending beyond a single player.
More Pressure on Auburn as Kentucky Watches
Steven Pearl took over after his father, Bruce Pearl, retired before the 2025-26 season. The coaching transition brought expectations that Auburn would maintain its competitive standing in the SEC.
However, this latest controversy has shifted attention away from the court and toward the program’s internal decisions.
Kentucky and Mark Pope have faced plenty of pressure of their own, but Auburn’s latest setback gives the SEC another developing storyline ahead of the season.
The biggest question now is how quickly Auburn can move past the controversy, replace Kloman and maintain stability within its basketball operations.
For Steven Pearl, the challenge is no longer simply about winning games. He must also ensure that the program avoids further distractions as expectations continue to rise.
