Auburn’s Bruce Pearl Uses NCAA Tournament Spotlight to Advocate for Hostage Edan Alexander

Auburn head coach Bruce Pearl is widely recognized not only for his success on the basketball court but also for his passionate advocacy on global issues. Following Auburn’s dominant win over Creighton, Pearl took a moment before discussing basketball to bring national attention to Israeli-American soldier Edan Alexander, who remains held hostage in Gaza.

A Message Bigger Than Basketball

Pearl, who has consistently used his social media presence to speak out against violence in the Middle East, took a bold step by opening his NCAA Tournament press conference with a plea for Alexander’s release.

“I get asked a lot how this basketball program has become so competitive over the last eight years. Well, you’re looking at the reasons right here,” Pearl said, motioning toward his players. “But for me, I believe it was God’s plan to give us this success, success beyond what we deserve—to give us this platform. To give us an opportunity to remind the world that Edan Alexander is still held hostage in Gaza right now. An American held hostage, and not enough people in this country know his name.”

Before answering any questions about Auburn’s performance, Pearl asked his players if they were comfortable with him using the press conference to amplify the call for Alexander’s release—a testament to the unity within his team.

Who is Edan Alexander?

Edan Alexander, 21, was born in the United States and is one of 59 hostages still being held in Gaza amid the ongoing conflict. Despite the gravity of his situation, Pearl emphasized that awareness in the U.S. remains alarmingly low, and he took it upon himself to bring attention to the crisis on one of the biggest platforms in college basketball.

Auburn’s Road to the Sweet Sixteen

While Pearl’s message was a powerful moment off the court, his team delivered an equally strong statement on it. Auburn’s dominant performance against Creighton reaffirmed why they earned the No. 1 overall seed in the tournament.

The Tigers had faced some turbulence at the end of the regular season, suffering multiple losses and an early SEC Tournament exit, but their win on Saturday night showcased their championship potential. Now, they are set to face Michigan in the Sweet Sixteen in Atlanta, just under two hours from Auburn’s campus—an advantage that could turn their next game into a near-home-court atmosphere.

Using the NCAA Stage for More Than Just Basketball

In a world where sports often serve as a distraction from global issues, Pearl made sure that, at least for a moment, the focus wasn’t on brackets, upsets, or buzzer-beaters—but on a young American being held in captivity.

As Auburn prepares for the next round, one thing is clear: Bruce Pearl’s voice reaches far beyond the basketball court—and he’s using it for a cause bigger than the game.