Auburn basketball enthusiasts have reason to rejoice as it has been officially announced that Johni Broome, an outstanding player, will be extending his tenure with the team for another season. This determination follows Broome’s remarkable performance in the previous season, during which he garnered consensus All-American recognition. Instead of entering the 2024 NBA Draft, the senior center has opted to make use of his fifth year of eligibility with the Tigers, as he revealed through his social media platforms on Wednesday. It is worth noting that this would have marked Broome’s third attempt to enter the draft, potentially prohibiting him from withdrawing as he had done in the past two offseasons.
Throughout his tenure at Auburn, Broome has consistently delivered exceptional performances, maintaining an average of 15.3 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks in the 68 games he has participated in over the last two seasons. His contributions have played a key role in Auburn’s consecutive appearances in the NCAA Tournament, their SEC Tournament title, and an impressive overall tally of 47-21.
Originally a three-star recruit from Tampa Catholic High School, Broome commenced his collegiate career at Morehead State, where he garnered recognition as the Ohio Valley Conference Freshman of the Year in 2020-21 and subsequently as the OVC Defensive Player of the Year. Since transferring to Auburn, Broome’s game has undergone notable development, transitioning from a traditional back-to-the-basket big man to a versatile player, exhibiting an improved three-point shooting ability with a 39.2% success rate against SEC competition.
Bruce Pearl, Auburn’s head coach, has expressed his admiration for Broome’s evolution, emphasizing his journey from Morehead State to becoming an All-American at Auburn. This exceptional progress and improvement have not only enhanced the team’s performance but have also led to Broome receiving the title of consensus All-American, making him the second player in Auburn’s history to accomplish such a feat, with Jabari Smith being the first in 2022.
In summary, Broome’s decision to extend his tenure for another season undoubtedly constitutes a significant victory for the Auburn Tigers, and fans can eagerly anticipate witnessing the talented player’s ongoing contributions to the team’s success.
For further information and updates regarding Auburn Tigers basketball, please contact Richard Silva, the Auburn athletics beat writer for the Montgomery Advertiser, via email at [email protected] or through his social media platforms.