Johni Broome was roasted by Duolingo after poor athleticism at the 2025 NBA Draft Combine
Johni Broome was roasted by Duolingo after poor athleticism at the 2025 NBA Draft Combine
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2025 NBA draft lottery: Mavericks, Spurs and 76ers big winners
The Mavericks secure the top pick in the 2025 NBA draft lottery despite a 1.8% chance
Auburn basketball star big man Johni Broome had one of the best seasons of any player in men's college basketball. Next, he looks to turn pro.
Broome earned praise from former NBA star Charles Barkley as perhaps the greatest player in program history at Auburn during the NCAA men's basketball tournament. He was named SEC Player of the Year and also earned the Karl Malone Award and Pete Newell Big Man Award.
He was, without a doubt, one of the best players in college basketball. But what does his future look like in the NBA? That is what he is trying to figure out while participating in the 2025 NBA Draft Combine in Chicago.
More: Charles Barkley said Johni Broome can beat him as Auburn's best player ever
During athletic testing in Chicago, the big man recorded a 24.5-inch standing vertical leap.
Johni Broome records a 24.5 inch standing vertical at the NBA Draft Combine
(via @DraftExpress) pic.twitter.com/i2eW8WaLSG — Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) May 14, 2025
That is less than Desmond Watson, who weighs over 200 pounds more than Broome.
For evaluators who were hoping to see better athleticism from the big man, they were disappointed.
Learn Chinese and try Super Duolingo today! https://t.co/KYD2aiEzg8 — Duolingo (@duolingo) May 14, 2025
But no one was more ruthless in their critique of Broome than Duolingo.
They encouraged the former Auburn star to learn Chinese because they think it would be a useful skill for him to learn because they suggest he will probably have to play in the Chinese Basketball Association and not the NBA.
This is a play on the famous "Get ready to learn Chinese, buddy" meme popularized on social media.
We currently do not project Broome will hear his name in the first round of the 2025 NBA Draft. But based on his productivity, he could still become a second-round pick.
Remember: Nikola Jokic reportedly had a standing vertical leap of only 17 inches when he was a prospect and that worked out OK for him.
Meanwhile, for more prospect coverage, here is our latest NBA mock draft at For The Win.
The best takes and the sharpest bets on all the hoops storylines you need to know. Sign up for our Layup Lines newsletter, hitting your inbox on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
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