Bruce Pearl calls Johni Broome an 'old-school center'

Johni Broome has filled in exceptionally at center for the Auburn Tigers this season. Given the team’s up-and-down backcourt play throughout year, a steady center presence like Broome was necessary for Auburn to remain a strong defensive club and ultimately get into the NCAA Tournament. According to Bruce Pearl, having an old school big such as him is a real luxury.

Here was the Auburn head coach waxing poetically about his traditional big:

“He’s an old school center. Can score with his back to the basket. He is going to be and at times he has shown the ability to stretch with his three-ball. He’s a very willing passer. He understands, you know, the game. And, you know, he was probably one of the more newcomers to any program in our league. Doesn’t get talked a lot about. But where would we be without Johni Broome?”

It’s a fair question. Last season, Auburn soared to a two-seed on the back of an elite front-court. Jabari Smith Jr. obviously swept a number of accolades and wound up a top-three pick in the NBA Draft after finishing as the team’s leading scorer. But equally important was Walker Kessler at center as a defensive stalwart who was the best rim protector in the country, a fellow NBA first-round draft pick and the college hoops coaches’ Defensive Player of the Year in 2021-22.

Broome was brought in to replace Kessler more so than Parker, and he’s not quite Kessler, but he’s done a terrific job as the team’s rim protector and enforcer down low. Per Bruce Pearl, he’s exceeded every reasonable expectation. He also added that Tiger fans can thank his son, Steven, for finding a diamond in the Transfer Portal with Johni Broome.

“When you lose, you know, two NBA first-rounders (Smith and Kessler) who are both being dominant rookies, that’s a lot to lose. And Steven Pearl led the recruiting on Johni. He came in and answered any of the questions that whether his game could transfer from mid-major to high-major, and it has. Being second team All-League, All-District. This is a great start to him. And next year he could be an even more dominant player.”

Johni Broome has plenty ahead of him in the NCAA Tournament should Auburn make a run. But even if not, Tiger fans have to be giddy about a potential leap to SEC stardom next season.