Black college basketball recruits warned against attending Auburn after coach slams 'socialist' Kamala Harris

Black college basketball recruits are being cautioned against attending Auburn University following comments criticizing Vice President Kamala Harris, labeling her a “socialist,” made by the school's men's basketball coach.

Bruce Pearl, a coach with over 20 years of experience, responded to a post on X from Senator Tom Cotton, who claimed that Harris is “so extreme she wants to kick you off the health insurance you get through your job." Pearl added to Cotton’s remarks by quote-tweeting, "Thank you for pointing this out Senator Cotton, except my guess is that like many of her socialist, woke progressive beliefs she’s not changing them or hiding them to get elected! We won’t get fooled again!"

Pearl's comments sparked an immediate backlash from figures like Roland Martin, a former CNN contributor. Martin posted on X, urging black basketball players to reconsider joining Auburn’s basketball program.

"To all black ballplayers and their parents considering (Auburn basketball), this is the trash Bruce Pearl tweets,” Martin wrote in response to Pearl’s post. "There are many other SEC schools to consider. Choose accordingly."

Dan Wolken, a columnist for USA Today, also criticized Pearl's remarks on X, questioning whether Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals have changed the landscape so much that a college coach can make such comments without worrying about negative recruiting impacts

"Serious question: Has NIL changed the game to such an extent that a college coach can say stuff like this on social media and not fear any negative recruiting impact in households where the VP is likely quite popular?" Wolken asked.

One user responded by pointing out that Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr has also publicly expressed political views, having spoken at the Democratic National Convention and endorsed Harris for president. According to Fox News, Wolken replied, "I guess you’ve missed the point," noting that, unlike Pearl, "Steve Kerr doesn’t have to convince families to send their teenage kids to a college campus for personal and professional development in a highly competitive recruiting environment."