Apr 5, 2025; San Antonio, TX, USA; Auburn Tigers forward Johni Broome (4) blocks the shot of Florida Gators forward Thomas Haugh (10) during the second half in the semifinals of the men's Final Four of the 2025 NCAA Tournament at Alamodome. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-Imagn Images
The Sixers selected Auburn fifth-year senior Johni Broome with the 35th overall pick in the 2025 NBA draft on Thursday.
Broome was listed at 6-foot-9.25, 249 pounds with a seven-foot wingspan at the Draft Combine. He's a seasoned interior scorer with defensive chops and a 1.81:1 assist-to-turnover ratio that backs up a notable passing aptitude for a big man.
Broome accomplished quite a bit in his college career, including 2025 SEC Player of the Year, 2025 Karl Malone Award and 2025 first-team All-American honors.
Nonetheless, the concerns are clear. He lacks athletic pop and shot below 28 percent from three as a super senior. Speaking of being a super senior, Broome will turn 23 this summer, so it's fair to question how much upside he has left. So, you have an older senior who is a positional tweener and non-shooter, and is deficient of the athletic juice to be a vertical spacer.
While not exactly what you want out of a big in the modern NBA, Broome represents a contrast in flavor of big man behind Joel Embiid. The passing chops and interior scoring prowess gives the Sixers optionality beyond/ human pogo stick Adem Bona.
Broome has the experience to help now and did quite a bit of winning at the collegiate level.
According to Jonathan Givony, the Sixers will keep and roster Broome.
