Johni Broome Bio
Johni Broome, born July 19, 2002, is an American professional basketball player who plays power forward for the Philadelphia 76ers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Standing 6 ft 9 in tall and weighing around 244 lb, he brings size, shot-blocking instincts, and a developing offensive game to the frontcourt. After a standout college career split between Morehead State and Auburn, he entered the NBA as a second-round pick in 2025. He is widely regarded as one of the most accomplished big men to come out of the college ranks in recent years.
Early Life and Background
Johni Broome was born on July 19, 2002, in Plant City, Florida, where he attended Plant City High School. During his teenage years, he experienced a remarkable growth spurt, gaining about six inches in two years, a change that helped transform him from a guard prospect into a frontcourt force. He later transferred to Tampa Catholic High School in Tampa, Florida, to compete at a higher level.
As a senior at Tampa Catholic, Broome averaged 19.6 points, 10.9 rebounds, and 2.2 blocks per game, earning Hillsborough County Player of the Year honors. His strong play drew college interest from several programs, including Florida Atlantic, Georgia Southern, Jacksonville, and Bryant, before he committed to Morehead State. His older brother, John Jr., played college football at Florida International University, giving the family a notable athletic background.
Path to Basketball
Broome arrived at Morehead State ready to contribute immediately. When teammate Tyzhun Claude suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament before the season, Broome stepped into a central role as a freshman. He responded by averaging 13.8 points, nine rebounds, and 1.9 blocks per game, earning OVC Player of the Year and First Team All-OVC honors in 2021. He was also a nine-time OVC Freshman of the Week, breaking a program record previously held by Kenneth Faried.
In the OVC tournament final on March 6, 2021, Broome delivered 27 points and 12 rebounds in an 86–71 win over top-seeded Belmont, claiming tournament MVP honors. As a sophomore, he elevated his production to 16.8 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 3.9 blocks per game, repeating as a First Team All-OVC selection and earning OVC Defensive Player of the Year. On April 4, 2022, he entered the transfer portal, and on April 30, 2022, he announced his commitment to Auburn over Florida, setting the stage for the highest level of college competition.
Johni Broome Career
Early Career (2020–2022)
Broome’s early college career at Morehead State established him as one of the most dominant young big men in the Ohio Valley Conference. He paired interior scoring with elite rim protection, helping the Eagles compete for conference titles in both of his seasons. His freshman and sophomore campaigns produced a combined collection of OVC weekly and postseason honors.
After two years at Morehead State, Broome moved on to Auburn, joining one of the most competitive conferences in college basketball. The transfer marked a clear step up in competition and visibility, giving him the chance to test his skills against future NBA players on a nightly basis.
Auburn Breakthrough (2022–2025)
At Auburn, Broome continued to expand his game on both ends of the floor. As a junior, he earned Second Team All-SEC recognition, signaling his arrival as a premier big man in the Southeastern Conference. His combination of size, footwork, and defensive presence made him a focal point of the Tigers’ rotation.
In his senior season of 2024–25, Broome led Auburn in points, rebounds, assists, and blocks, guiding the Tigers to a top seed in the NCAA Division I tournament. He was named The Sporting News Men’s College Basketball Player of the Year, a Consensus First Team All-American, the SEC Player of the Year, the Pete Newell Big Man Award winner, and the Karl Malone Award recipient. He was also a two-time First Team All-SEC selection and the 2024 SEC Tournament MVP, capping one of the most decorated individual careers in Auburn history.
Philadelphia 76ers Era (2025–Present)
Broome was selected by the Philadelphia 76ers with the 35th overall pick in the second round of the 2025 NBA Draft. He made his preseason debut against the New York Knicks in Abu Dhabi, scoring four points and grabbing six rebounds. In addition to his time with the 76ers, he was assigned to the Delaware Blue Coats, Philadelphia’s NBA G League affiliate, to continue his development.
On January 16, 2026, while playing for the Delaware Blue Coats, Broome erupted for 50 points and 17 rebounds in a 155–140 win over the College Park Skyhawks, an eye-opening performance that highlighted his offensive ceiling. On February 22, he was diagnosed with a lateral meniscus tear in his right knee and was ruled out indefinitely. He later returned in time for the postseason, making his NBA playoff debut on May 4, 2026, against the New York Knicks, and on May 10 he scored seven points in three minutes, going 3-for-5 from the field and 1-for-3 from three-point range.
Driving Style and Strengths
Broome’s game is built around his combination of size, length, and footwork in the post, where he can score with both hands and finish through contact. He protects the rim at a high level, using his timing and shot-blocking instincts to disrupt opponents at the basket. As his perimeter game continues to develop, he has shown the ability to step out and knock down three-pointers, giving his team valuable floor spacing from the frontcourt.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Broome’s signature moments are his 27-point, 12-rebound performance in the 2021 OVC tournament final, his dominant 50-point, 17-rebound outing for the Delaware Blue Coats in January 2026, and his first NBA playoff appearance in May 2026. His 2024–25 season at Auburn, during which he swept national and conference player of the year awards, stands as the defining milestone of his career to date.
Johni Broome Career Wins
Across his college and early professional career, Johni Broome has built a résumé highlighted by conference titles, All-American selections, and a series of award-winning individual seasons. While the NBA portion of his career is just beginning, his decorated path through Morehead State, Auburn, and the Philadelphia 76ers organization establishes him as a proven winner at every level he has played.
College Highlights
Broome captured OVC Tournament MVP honors in 2021, helping Morehead State win the conference tournament championship as a freshman. With Auburn, he was named the 2024 SEC Tournament MVP and led the Tigers to a top seed in the 2025 NCAA Division I tournament. His two SEC Player of the Year-caliber seasons and his 2025 consensus First Team All-American selection underscore the breadth of his college accomplishments.
Other Wins and Performances
In the NBA G League, Broome produced a 50-point performance for the Delaware Blue Coats in January 2026, a notable scoring milestone in his young professional career. He has also been recognized with the OVC Freshman of the Year, OVC Defensive Player of the Year, and SEC All-Defensive Team honors, reflecting his two-way impact.
Johni Broome Family
Family Background and Athletic Lineage
Johni Broome grew up in Plant City, Florida, in a family with a strong athletic tradition. His older brother, John Jr., played college football at Florida International University, giving Johni an early understanding of the demands of high-level collegiate sports. That family background helped shape his work ethic and competitive drive.
Personal Life
Off the court, Broome is a Christian and has often spoken about the role of faith in his life. He has cited James Harden as his favorite NBA player, reflecting an appreciation for skilled, crafty offensive players. He continues to focus on his development as a young professional in the Philadelphia 76ers organization.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 calendar year marked the most decorated stretch of Johni Broome’s career. He completed his senior season at Auburn as the leading force on a team that earned a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Division I tournament, finishing the year as SEC Player of the Year, The Sporting News Men’s College Basketball Player of the Year, a Consensus First Team All-American, and the winner of both the Pete Newell Big Man Award and the Karl Malone Award. He was also named a First Team All-SEC selection for the second consecutive season.
Following the college season, Broome heard his name called in the 2025 NBA Draft, going to the Philadelphia 76ers with the 35th overall pick. He appeared in preseason action against the New York Knicks in Abu Dhabi and spent time with the Delaware Blue Coats in the NBA G League, where his 50-point performance in January 2026 served as a clear sign of his scoring potential. After recovering from a lateral meniscus tear in his right knee, he returned in time to make his NBA playoff debut in May 2026, giving the 76ers a developing big man with a proven track record of winning and producing at a high level.
