With No. 35 Overall Pick in NBA Draft, 76ers Select Auburn Big Man Johni Broome

The Philadelphia 76ers selected Auburn forward Johni Broome with the 35th overall pick in the 2025 NBA draft.

Broome played five years in college, spending his first two years at Morehead State before transferring over to Auburn. He was a productive player for the Tigers, leading them to the Final Four of the NCAA tournament last season. The 22-year old averaged 18.6 points, 10.8 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 2.1 blocks per game.

On the offensive end of the floor, Broome excels playing around the basket. He relies on his touch and footwork to be a solid scorer from the post. Playing with a high motor, Broome was one of college basketball’s best rebounders. He averaged 3.7 offensive rebounds per game at Auburn last season. While he is a capable scorer from around the basket, Broome is not going to effectively space the floor. He shot just 27.8% from 3-point range on 2.5 attempts per game last season.

Broome also showed signs of being a strong interior defender. He recorded two or more blocks per game in each of his past four years in college. His good basketball instincts help him to consistently be in good positions defensively while also avoiding getting into foul trouble.

Measuring in at 6-foot-9 barefoot with a 7-foot wingspan, Broome should play most of his minutes as a center. He might struggle to see consistent minutes as a rookie. Adem Bona, fresh off a strong showing, is primed to be the team’s primary backup center. Can Broome find a path to playing time through playing minutes at power forward? He is unlikely to succeed as a forward due to his lack of foot speed and poor perimeter spacing.

Broome was one of collegiate basketball’s most productive players last season. He has a good feel for the game and plays with a relentless motor. Along with their first-round pick V.J. Edgecombe, the Sixers made it a priority to add high-character players to the roster. Broome checks off those boxes, but his on-court fit in Philadelphia is unclear.