BROOKLYN, N.Y. – Auburn’s Johni Broome, a unanimous first team All-American and the SEC Player of the Year, was selected by the Philadelphia 76ers with the fifth pick of the second round of the 2025 NBA Draft Thursday. The 35th overall pick of the two-day draft, Broome became the first Auburn player drafted by Philadelphia since Hall of Famer Charles Barkley was selected fifth overall in the 1984 draft.
"I'm a winner. I get things done offensively and defensively,” Broome said on the ESPN broadcast. “The 76ers got a good one."
Broome becomes the seventh draft pick in the last seven years for head coach Bruce Pearl, joining Chuma Okeke (2019, No. 16 overall to Orlando), Isaac Okoro (2020, No. 5 overall to Cleveland), Sharife Cooper (2021, No. 48 overall to Atlanta), J.T. Thor (2021, No. 37 overall to Charlotte), Walker Kessler (2022, No. 22 overall to Utah) and Jabari Walker (2022, No. 3 overall to Houston). He is the 36th player in program history to have his name called in the draft.
“Johni could have been the steal of the second round. At every level, he has exceeded expectations,” Auburn head coach Bruce Pearl said. “He wasn’t supposed to be good enough to play at a high major and was the SEC Player of the Year and second for national player of the year. He’s an elite competitor, coachable and as Charles Barkley said, he might be the best player in Auburn history based on what he accomplished for the program and university. Philadelphia made a great decision in drafting Johni.”
The moment that will last a lifetime 🥹 pic.twitter.com/vEO4PvA0yZ
— Auburn Basketball (@AuburnMBB) June 27, 2025
The two-time senior All-American from Plant City, Fla., was honored as the SEC Player of the Year, joining Charles Barkley (1984) and Chris Porter (1999) as the only Tigers to earn this award from The Associated Press. Broome is the only player in NCAA Division I men’s basketball history to record 2,500 points, 1,500 rebounds and 400 blocks in his career.
“He started his career at Morehead State where he was Player of the Year in his league when he transferred and went to Auburn. Bruce Pearl said, 'We'll see if these numbers translate to the SEC,' and it did,” ESPN analyst Jay Bilas said on the ESPN broadcast. “He was dominant in the Southeastern Conference. In fact, he was the Player of the Year and led Auburn to the Final Four last season.
“He shoots 66 percent at the rim, he’s excellent on post-ups, and he's fantastic on the offensive glass – just under four offensive rebounds a game. He might not be an above-the-rim big guy, but he carves out space and he gets things done. He's a really productive player that has been overlooked before and has come through.”
A Naismith Trophy award finalist, Broome led the Tigers in scoring (18.6 per game), rebounds (10.8 per game) and was second in assists (2.8 per game). The South Regional MVP averaged 17.3 points on 50.0 percent shooting and 13.3 rebounds, including two double-doubles in Auburn's four wins. His five career double-doubles in the NCAA Tournament are tied with Kentucky's Dan Issell, Shaquille O'Neal of LSU and Auburn's Jeff Moore for the most in SEC history.
Broome and former No. 1 overall pick Hakeem Olajuwon in 1984 are the only players to score at least 25 points on 75 percent shooting and grab at least 10 rebounds in the Elite Eight in the last 50 seasons.