Johni Broome Bio
Johni Broome (JUH-nye) is an American professional basketball player for the Philadelphia 76ers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Standing 6 feet 10 inches tall, he plays as a frontcourt player and is widely regarded as one of the top big men to enter the league in recent years. After a standout college career split between Morehead State and Auburn, Broome was selected by the Philadelphia 76ers in the 2025 NBA Draft and quickly transitioned to the professional level. He has earned national recognition for his scoring, rebounding, and shot-blocking ability.
Broome built his reputation as a productive interior presence who could rebound, defend the rim, and score efficiently around the basket. His combination of size, footwork, and timing made him a focal point at every stop of his basketball journey, and that profile ultimately led to his selection by the Philadelphia 76ers.
Early Life and Background
Johni Broome was born on July 19, 2002, in Plant City, Florida. He grew up in a sports-minded household, and his older brother, John Jr., went on to play college football at Florida International University. Broome has spoken about his Christian faith as an important part of his personal life, and he has cited James Harden as his favorite NBA player while growing up.
Broome attended Plant City High School in his hometown, where a significant growth spurt of about six inches over two years reshaped his physical profile. He later transferred to Tampa Catholic High School in Tampa, Florida, to complete his high school development. As a senior at Tampa Catholic, Broome averaged 19.6 points, 10.9 rebounds, and 2.2 blocks per game, and he was recognized as the Hillsborough County Player of the Year for his dominant interior play.
Path to Basketball
Despite his senior production, Broome was not heavily recruited by high-major programs and chose to begin his college career at Morehead State over offers from Florida Atlantic, Georgia Southern, Jacksonville, and Bryant. The decision gave him an opportunity to play significant minutes early and to develop his game against older competition. His path to professional basketball would be built on steady improvement and a willingness to embrace new challenges at every level.
Broome’s development curve was steep, and by the end of his college career he had established himself as one of the most productive big men in the country. That trajectory ultimately carried him to the NBA, where he joined the Philadelphia 76ers as a second-round selection in the 2025 NBA Draft with the 35th overall pick.
Johni Broome Career
Early Career at Morehead State (2020–2022)
Broome immediately assumed an important role at Morehead State after Tyzhun Claude suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in practice before the season. As a freshman, he averaged 13.8 points, nine rebounds, and 1.9 blocks per game, and he was named Ohio Valley Conference (OVC) Player of the Year, First Team All-OVC, OVC Freshman of the Year, and OVC Tournament MVP. He also earned OVC Freshman of the Week nine times, breaking a program record previously held by Kenneth Faried.
As a sophomore, Broome elevated his production to 16.8 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 3.9 blocks per game. He was again named First Team All-OVC and added OVC Defensive Player of the Year honors. On March 6, 2021, he posted 27 points and 12 rebounds in an 86–71 win over top-seeded Belmont in the OVC tournament final, capping his freshman tournament run with a Most Valuable Player award. On April 4, 2022, Broome entered the transfer portal, and on April 30, 2022, he announced his decision to transfer to Auburn over Florida.
Auburn Tigers Breakthrough (2022–2025)
Broome arrived at Auburn and quickly became a central figure in the Tigers’ frontcourt. As a junior, he earned Second Team All-SEC recognition and established himself as one of the conference’s most reliable interior defenders and rebounders. His defensive impact was strong enough to earn him a spot on the SEC All-Defensive Team.
As a senior in 2024–25, Broome led Auburn in points, rebounds, assists, and blocks, helping the Tigers secure a top seed in the NCAA Division I tournament. He was named The Sporting News Men’s College Basketball Player of the Year, the SEC Player of the Year, and the winner of both the Pete Newell Big Man Award and the Karl Malone Award. He also earned consensus first-team All-American honors, Third Team All-American recognition the previous season, and two consecutive First Team All-SEC selections, along with the 2024 SEC Tournament MVP award.
Philadelphia 76ers Era (2025–Present)
Broome was selected by the Philadelphia 76ers with the 35th pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, marking his transition to the professional ranks. He made his preseason debut against the New York Knicks in Abu Dhabi, scoring four points and pulling down six rebounds in his first action for the team. The early returns suggested a frontcourt player ready to contribute meaningful minutes.
Joining the Philadelphia 76ers gives Broome an opportunity to continue developing his game within a winning organization. His ability to rebound, protect the rim, and finish around the basket fits the modern needs of an NBA rotation big man, and his college résumé suggests room for further growth as he adapts to the professional pace.
Driving Style and Strengths
Broome’s game is built around interior scoring, rebounding, and rim protection. He uses his 6-foot-10 frame to establish deep post position, finishes efficiently around the basket, and protects the rim as a shot-blocker. His productivity across points, rebounds, and blocks at Auburn illustrates a well-rounded skill set for a modern NBA big man.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Broome’s signature moments are his 27-point, 12-rebound performance in the OVC tournament final over top-seeded Belmont and his leadership of Auburn to a No. 1 seed in the 2025 NCAA Division I tournament. He also set a Morehead State record with nine OVC Freshman of the Week honors, surpassing a mark previously held by Kenneth Faried.
Johni Broome Career Wins
Johni Broome’s college résumé is decorated with conference and national awards, including OVC Player of the Year, OVC Defensive Player of the Year, SEC Player of the Year, the Pete Newell Big Man Award, the Karl Malone Award, and The Sporting News Men’s College Basketball Player of the Year.
Conference and National Honors
At Morehead State, Broome was a two-time First Team All-OVC selection, the OVC Defensive Player of the Year, the OVC Freshman of the Year, and the OVC Tournament MVP. At Auburn, he was a two-time First Team All-SEC pick, the 2024 SEC Tournament MVP, the 2025 SEC Player of the Year, and a consensus first-team All-American.
Other Performances
Broome also earned a Third Team All-American selection in 2024, an SEC All-Defensive Team selection in 2024, and an OVC All-Newcomer Team selection in 2021, further highlighting his steady growth across multiple levels of competition.
Johni Broome Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Broome comes from a sports-oriented family. His older brother, John Jr., played college football at Florida International University, giving Johni a close view of what a competitive collegiate athletic career demands.
Personal Life
Broome is a Christian and has spoken openly about the role his faith plays in his life. Outside of basketball, he has identified James Harden as his favorite NBA player, a reflection of his appreciation for skilled scoring guards.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 calendar year marks a defining chapter for Johni Broome. He capped his Auburn career by leading the Tigers to a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Division I tournament, sweeping major national awards including SEC Player of the Year, the Pete Newell Big Man Award, the Karl Malone Award, and The Sporting News Men’s College Basketball Player of the Year. His senior production positioned him as one of the most accomplished big men in college basketball.
Following the season, Broome was selected by the Philadelphia 76ers with the 35th pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. He debuted in preseason play against the New York Knicks in Abu Dhabi, recording four points and six rebounds while adjusting to the speed and physicality of the NBA game. The early outing offered a first glimpse of his professional trajectory.
Looking ahead, Broome will look to carve out a consistent role in the Philadelphia 76ers’ frontcourt rotation. With a strong defensive foundation and proven scoring ability, he enters his rookie season with a clear pathway to contribute, and his college résumé suggests his best professional basketball is still ahead.