From Plant City to the City of Brotherly Love, Johni Broome’s basketball journey just hit another milestone. Johni Broome Drafted by the 76ers making him the latest in a line of Auburn Tigers taken in the NBA Draft.
The Auburn big man heard his name called Thursday night in Brooklyn as the Philadelphia 76ers selected him with the 35th overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. That’s early in the second round — and it’s a pick with historic weight. Broome is the first Auburn player drafted by Philly since Charles Barkley went No. 5 overall in 1984. That’s elite company.
“I’m a winner,” Broome said during his post-selection interview on ESPN. “I get things done offensively and defensively. The 76ers got a good one.”
Philly fans may not know it yet, but Auburn fans sure do.
Broome exits the Plains as one of the most accomplished players to ever wear the orange and blue. He was the heartbeat of Bruce Pearl’s squad last season, leading the Tigers in scoring (18.6 PPG), rebounding (10.8 RPG), and nearly in assists (2.8 APG). He did it all — and he did it efficiently. In March, he delivered a historic Elite Eight performance that drew comparisons to Hakeem Olajuwon. That’s not hyperbole: he became just the second player in 50 years to post 25+ points on 75% shooting with 10+ rebounds in an Elite Eight game.
Bruce Pearl didn’t mince words after the draft.
“Johni could have been the steal of the second round,” Pearl said. “He wasn’t even supposed to make it at the high-major level. Now, he leaves Auburn as one of our greatest players — maybe the greatest. Philly got a real one.”
Broome joins a growing list of Auburn players to make the leap to the NBA under Pearl — seven since 2019 — including names like Isaac Okoro, Jabari Smith Jr., and Walker Kessler. But Broome’s résumé stands out. He’s the only player in NCAA Division I history to record 2,500 points, 1,500 rebounds, and 400 blocks. The numbers speak for themselves. So does the SEC Player of the Year award, which he now shares with just two other Tigers: Barkley and Chris Porter.
As Johni Broome is drafted by the 76ers, he takes a legacy of toughness, leadership, and production with him — and Auburn fans will be watching closely as he takes the next step in his basketball story
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For more insight on Auburn Basketball developments, check out related content like “Ira Bowman on Auburn’s Identity and What’s Next for the Tigers?”.
