Auburn All-American Johni Broome ramping up workouts ahead of NBA draft
Auburn All-American Johni Broome ramping up workouts ahead of NBA draft
Auburn senior Johni Broome is beginning to hit the workout circuit after visiting two playoff teams this week, with less than four weeks to go until the 2025 NBA draft.
Broome was a consensus first-team All-American, averaging 18.6 points, 10.8 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 2.1 blocks on 51% shooting from the field this past season. He joined Charles Barkley (1984) and Chris Porter (1999) as the only Tigers players to win SEC Player of the Year.
The 6-foot-10 forward had his first predraft workout on Wednesday with the LA Clippers. He was then among the prospects who visited the Detroit Pistons on Friday.
Broome leaves Auburn as the only player in history to tally at least 2,500 points, 1,500 rebounds and 400 blocked shots in a career. He set single-season program records for rebounds (389) and double-doubles (21) as a fifth-year senior.
The 22-year-old is considered a potential late first-round pick at this stage of the predraft process. He established himself as one of the most dominant big men in the country, with his ability in the post, rebounding and toughness on a nightly basis.
Broome will have the opportunity to improve his stock in team workouts and interviews up until the draft on June 25-26. He'll likely visit at least 8-12 teams in total, giving him plenty of chances to make a name for himself against his peers.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
USA Today
an hour ago
- USA Today
Sixers draft history: Nerlens Noel selected No. 6 overall in 2013
With the NBA draft right around the corner, now is the time to look at some past drafts and see what the Philadelphia 76ers have done in their history. The Sixers have selected some big-time players in the past who have become an important part of the fabric of the franchise's history. This edition focuses on the 2013 NBA draft as the Sixers began The Process era. New GM Sam Hinkie made a deal with the New Orleans Pelicans to send All-Star Jrue Holiday to New Orleans for the No. 6 pick which turned out to be Kentucky big man Nerlens Noel. Noel missed his entire rookie year due to injury, but overall, he had some solid moments in Philadelphia. When he did get on the floor in 2014-15, Noel averaged 9.9 points, 8.1 rebounds, 1.8 steals, 1.7 assists, and 1.9 blocks. He made an impact as a rim runner offensively and as a defensive presence. Noel spent 2.5 seasons with the Sixers before being dealt to the Dallas Mavericks at the 2017 deadline as Joel Embiid took steps forward in the 2016-17 season. Overall, Noel spent nine seasons in the league playing for the Sixers, Mavericks, Oklahoma City Thunder, New York Knicks, Detroit Pistons, and Brooklyn Nets. He carved out a solid role in this league and was a starter for the Knicks when they made the playoffs in 2021. Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle
Indianapolis Star
an hour ago
- Indianapolis Star
What do Pacers, Thunder have in common? Trading Paul George helped build their rosters
Who is most responsible for the Indiana Pacers and Oklahoma City Thunder reaching the 2025 NBA Finals? There are All-Star and All-NBA players, of course. Tyrese Haliburton and Pascal Siakam are the Pacers' anchors, while the Thunder have league MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jaylen Williams. Coaches Rick Carlisle of Indiana and Mark Daignault of OKC have made the right moves, as have roster builders Kevin Pritchard of the Pacers and Sam Presti of the Thunder. But both teams owe a sliver of thanks to the same person: Paul George. The 35-year-old nine-time All-Star helped both franchises — by being traded away. "I don't mean this facetiously or in a mean way: A very large part of Paul George's NBA legacy is going to be all the great teams that were created in his wake," NBA reporter Zach Lowe said this week on Bill Simmons' podcast. The Pacers selected George 10th overall in the 2010 NBA Draft. He became a full-time starter in his second season, and earned Most Improved Player honors in his third. He made the All-Star team four times in Indiana, was voted third-team All-NBA three times and earned All-Defense honors three times. Indiana traded him to the Thunder in 2017, getting Victor Oladipo and Domantas Sabonis in return. The Pacers sent Sabonis to the Sacramento Kings on Feb. 8, 2022, and the key piece coming to Indiana was Tyrese Haliburton, who has two All-Star nods and two third-team All-NBA teams since. He has often been spectacular in these playoffs. Also, draft picks that became Andrew Nembhard (31st overall, 2022) and Ben Sheppard (26th overall, 2023) came to the Pacers in deals related to Indiana's 2021 trade of Oladipo to the Houston Rockets. George played two seasons in Oklahoma City, making the All-Star team both years, All-NBA third team in his first and All-NBA first team in his second. In the summer of 2019, OKC sent George to the Los Angeles Clippers for a two-player, seven-draft pick package that included Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who had just finished his rookie season. One of those draft picks, a 2022 first-rounder, yielded Jalen Williams. SGA has led the Thunder for six years, earning All-Star berths and first-team All-NBA honors the past three. In 2024-25, he led the league in field-goal attempts (21.8), made free throws (7.9) and points (32.7) per game and was named league MVP. In his third season, Williams was an All-Star and third-team All-NBA selection, averaging 21.6 points, 5.3 rebounds and 5.1 assists per game. Little-used Dillon Jones also came in the George deal, along with two 2025 first-round picks and a 2026 first rounder. The nod goes to OKC. The Thunder's move brought in their best player directly, and one indirectly with a draft pick. The Pacers needed more moves post-George to complete their Finals roster.
New York Times
an hour ago
- New York Times
Thomas Bryant emerges as unlikely hero to help Pacers into NBA Finals
INDIANAPOLIS – Myles Turner was on the mic, speaking to a euphoric crowd that if it were allowed, would've stayed there all night. The Pacers had just knocked off the New York Knicks, 125-108, in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference finals to advance to the NBA finals for the first time in 25 years. And Turner, the longest-tenured Pacer, was spilling his heart to the city. Advertisement He spoke about embracing adversity, being the underdog and fighting for respect. 'People don't watch us,' Turner said on Saturday. All the while, his teammate, Thomas Bryant, could barely watch him. The Pacers backup center, donning an Eastern Conference champ T-shirt and hat, was doubled over on the scorer's table at Gainbridge Fieldhouse as Turner gave his speech. Tears ran down Bryant's face while he pounded his fist on the table in celebration, but his personal precipitation wasn't just birthed from joy. Those tears? They came from pain and pride. Trials and triumphs. Doubt and deliverance. 'There's a lot of times when you have to believe when nobody else even believes,' Bryant said in the locker room afterward. 'Even sometimes you have to believe it when you don't even believe it. You have to make yourself believe it and just stay the course. 'There were times I never thought I'd see the court again.' Nearly six months ago, Bryant was an afterthought, receiving 13 DNPs on a middling Miami Heat team. But in light of Indiana's backup centers, James Wiseman and Isaiah Jackson, both tearing their Achilles early in the season, Indiana acquired Bryant in December for a 2031 second-round pick swap. The hope was for Bryant to bolster the Pacers frontcourt and keep the team humming whenever its starting center, Turner, needed a breather. On Saturday night, however, Bryant was an unlikely hero, totaling a playoff career-high 11 points, three rebounds and one block in in 13 high-energy minutes to help the Pacers return to the NBA Finals for the first time since 2000. 'It's a lot of emotions, man, just going through the past year of just the ups and downs of the NBA,' Bryant said, choking up again. 'Playing, not playing, being totally out of the lineup, getting spare minutes here and there. And then, getting traded and not really knowing what the future might hold, but you just know you wanted to come contribute to a team and try to help them win in any way possible.' Advertisement Bryant got the biggest opportunity of his career to do just that in Game 6, and he delivered in catalytic fashion. After Turner picked up his fourth foul at the 10:14 mark of the third quarter, Indiana coach Rick Carlisle was forced to rely on his bench and his only other healthy center: Bryant. Four seconds after subbing in for Turner, Bryant blocked a layup attempt by Knicks forward OG Anunoby, which sparked a fast break. On the other end, Pascal Siakam, who scored a game-high 31 points, converted an and-1 layup while falling to the floor. Bryant was the first player to help him up, but before eagerly pulling Siakam to his feet, Bryant screamed and flexed in his face to celebrate the acrobatic finish. 'You don't gotta worry about T.B.; T.B. is always gonna bring that energy,' said teammate Aaron Nesmith, who was trailing the play. 'I've never met somebody whether it be up, down, rainy, sunny – he's always bringing that energy and that's a skill. That's a skill for real.' Bryant continued making timely plays by drilling a corner 3 with about eight minutes left in the third quarter, his second of the night, to push Indiana's lead up to 11 points. He high-fived a few courtside fans as he ran back on defense and repeated the celebration a few plays later when he drilled his third corner 3-pointer that put Indiana ahead by 15 points. This time, Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau called a timeout for his team to regroup, and Bryant probably needed the stoppage, as well. As the 6-foot-10 center ran back to the huddle, he jumped to chest bump teammate Quenton Jackson and roared to the crowd while his emotions bubbled over. Pacers assistant Lloyd Pierce pulled Bryant aside, reminding him that he should view his energy like money and he can't spend it all in one place. Bryant heeded Pierce's advice, though it was not an easy request after seeing his role change drastically through the series. The 27-year-old began the Eastern Conference finals as the backup center, but poor showings in Games 1 and 2 led to him being benched in Games 3 and 4 in favor of Tony Bradley, who initially joined the Pacers on a 10-day contract in March. It wasn't until Bradley strained his hip in Game 5 that Bryant regained his spot in the rotation and gave the Pacers a jolt in Game 6. Siakam called Bryant's resurgent performance a reward from 'the basketball Gods;' Carlisle credited Bryant's 'indomitable spirit;' and Turner simply thanked his teammate for his professionalism. Advertisement 'Man, I've been playing against Thomas since high school,' Turner said. 'He's always had that enthusiasm, that energy and that skill. … And he didn't complain. He didn't pout. If you watch any film, bro, he's the first one up on the bench (cheering), first one gassing us up, talking to us and getting us right. Me going down in foul trouble, he got his opportunity (Saturday) and he didn't look back.' Bryant, a New York native and former Indiana University star, acknowledged that it was serendipitous to send the Knicks home with a notable performance off the bench as a Pacer. He never dreamed of that moment because, candidly, there were days even recently when he prayed for 'just one minute' to prove himself. Bryant validated his worth Saturday, and he's hungry to solidify it even more against Oklahoma City in the NBA Finals. He's been on this stage before, winning a championship with the Nuggets in 2022-23, but Bryant played just 29 seconds during that 20-game playoff run and only appeared at the very end of Game 3 of the finals. He hopes to play a lot more in his second go round, though he vowed to be prepared regardless. 'A lot of people – when things go left or they don't get their way or they don't get the playing time they want – they say they got 'screwed over,'' Bryant said. 'But that's not always true. You still gotta stay resilient through it. I hope that people realize that I stayed resilient, and because of that I was able to contribute and accomplish things that other people never thought I'd do.'
