Fantastic 4: Johni Broome's storybook season

AUBURN, Ala. – Amid a flurry of interviews and photo shoots at SEC Tipoff ’25 three weeks before the start of what’s become a historic season, Johni Broome paused briefly before answering a question about what a movie named after him would be titled. 

“The Fantastic Four,” Broome responded.

The All-American then fleshed out the plot, with the first act detailing his upbringing in Tampa, Florida, the second act focusing on his time at Morehead State, the third act would highlight his Auburn seasons and the fourth would chronicle his future exploits. 

If act three is any indication of what’s to come, act four figures to be quite a doozy.

In Broome’s three seasons on the Plains, he’s become one of the best players in program history.  

After averaging 14.2 points and 8.4 rebounds per game in his first Auburn season, Broome increased his productivity last season, leading Auburn in scoring (16.5) and rebounding (8.5) while helping the Tigers win the 2024 SEC Tournament championship. 

Choosing to return to Auburn and delay his professional career, Broome entered his fifth season of college basketball with much fanfare after being named to the 2024 All-SEC First Team and the league’s All-Defensive Team.

“At the end of the day, I have to go out and perform,” Broome said on the eve of the season. “It’s good to be recognized but we still have to go out there, put a jersey on and win ballgames.”

Done and done.

While leading Auburn to the No. 1 ranking and an SEC championship, Broome earned SEC Player of the Year honors while being the national player of the year frontrunner.

“I’ve proved a lot individually through my career,” he said, “but my main goal is a team goal, which is to win the national championship. When the team shines, everyone shines individually. Coming from where I came from, it means a lot to me.”

After making nine 3-pointers and shooting 29 percent from long range in his first season on the Plains, Broome tripled his treys a season ago, making 28 while increasing his percentage to 35.4

“(Coach) Bruce (Pearl) and I talked about it the first day he recruited me, about me expanding my range and shooting more 3s,” Broome recalled. “It opened the offense a lot more because I’m very good around the basket and he has a lot of plays to give me those possessions. 

“Once I hit 3s, teams close out on me a little bit harder, allowing me to drive around. It opened it up for other people because (defenders) are not helping off, leaving me. It helps our team be better.”

While Broome has continued to keep defenses honest by averaging nearly one 3-pointer per game and making 30 percent of his attempts, his greatest advancement this season has come as a passer.

Auburn’s assists leader, Broome regularly makes defenses pay for double teams by passing to open teammates. 

“I like passing the ball, getting assists and doing a little bit of everything,” he said. 

After leading Auburn to an SEC Tournament title last season and a regular season crown this year, Broome takes aim at an even bigger prize in the NCAA Tournament, fueled for the past 12 months by the Tigers’ early exit in 2024.

“It’s still a sour taste in our mouths,” said Broome, noting that the final score – Yale 78, Auburn 76 – remained written in the Tigers’ locker room throughout the offseason. “We’re ready to prove otherwise. We’re still hungry. We’re going to bring it every night.”

Johni Broome and the 2024-25 Tigers have taken Auburn fans on a thrilling adventure, the type of tale that inspires documentaries on WarEagle+ and the SEC Network, about an overlooked prospect who worked and willed himself into becoming the best player in the country while cutting down nets along the way.

Johni has given us the story and its title: “The Fantastic Four.”

During this blockbuster season, night in and night out, No. 4 has been fantastic.

“I’m thankful for what Auburn has done for me,” Broome said. “I’m very grateful for it.”

Jeff Shearer is a Senior Writer at AuburnTigers.com. Follow him on X: @jeff_shearer