New Auburn coach Bruce Pearl has picked up the nation's leading returning scorer in Niagara transfer Antoine Mason.

Antoine Mason was second only to Creighton's Doug McDermott in scoring last season, averaging 25.6 points per game for Niagara. Jim O'Connor/USA TODAY Sports

Mason, a 6-foot-3 guard who averaged 25.6 points last season, will be eligible this season for Pearl and the Tigers due to the NCAA's transfer rule, which allows players who have graduated and have eligibility remaining to be able to play immediately.

Mason, the son of former NBA player Anthony Mason, chose Auburn over Providence. He was second in the nation in scoring last season behind Creighton's Doug McDermott, who averaged 26.9 points per game as a senior.

"It was a tough decision," Mason told ESPN.com. "It came down to intangibles."

Mason is the third transfer Pearl and his staff have added since he took over for Tony Barbee. Marshall transfer Kareem Canty averaged 16.3 points and 5.5 assists last season, and will have to sit out this season and have three remaining. New Mexico State guard K.C. Ross-Miller also will be eligible this season after graduating.

Auburn also added former Florida State signee Cinmeon Bowers, a 6-7, 260-pound big man who is considered one of the top junior college players in the country.