Auburn 'in the top' for Ashton Hagans

AUBURN | Four-star point guard Ashton Hagans took advantage of the opportunity to attend the Chuck Person Shooting Camp in Auburn on Sunday.

Sure, he toured the Tigers’ campus and facilities again, and he met with coach Bruce Pearl, but he also learned from Person, Pearl’s associate head coach and one of the most prolific scorers in Auburn history.

“I learned a lot of new things,” Hagans said. “That was a good feeling. I feel like my shot got a lot better.”

Hagans, who is ranked the No. 32 overall player in the 2019 class, owes his improvement to Person.

“He’s a great coach, a great shooter, one of the best shooters of all-time,” Hagans said. “He taught me how to shoot better. I got better because of him.”

Hagans already had developed a bond with Person. The visit Sunday was more about building on that bond and improving his game. Person has been recruiting Hagans for more than two years.

The relationships with Person and Pearl, as well as the other Auburn coaches and the family vibe, has the Tigers heavily in the mix for Hagans.

“Auburn is in the top,” Hagans said. “I’ve been here a lot and I like how the coaches talk to you. They treat you like you’re their son. And the players come talk to you and they treat you like a real brother.”

Hagans is transferring this fall from Newton (Covington, Ga.) to Oak Hill in Mouth of Wilson, Va., but the distance won’t keep him from returning to Auburn.

Hagans, who is 6-foot-4 and weighs 190 pounds, has offers from Auburn, Kansas, Georgia Tech, Wake Forest, Tennessee, Georgia and Oklahoma State, among others. He’s also receiving heavy interest from Kentucky, Louisville and USC.

Hagans doesn’t plan to make an early decision, but Auburn will be a major factor when a decision is made.

“I like it at Auburn,” Hagans said. “I’ll be back.”