Charles Barkley calls Johni Broome Auburn's best player ever, calls for jersey retirement

Auburn was not playing on Monday night as Bruce Pearl wished they had been. But as CBS was putting the finishing touches on the Final Four weekend, Charles Barkley made sure to give his Tigers some love. Specifically Johni Broome, speaking highly of a player everyone on the Plains adores.

Barkely believes Broome is the greatest basketball player in Auburn history, a title many believe the Turner Sports analyst currently holds. He even wants the No. 4 to be hanging in the Neville Arena rafters, calling for Auburn to retire the number.

“I want to give my love to Bruce Pearl and my Auburn Tigers,” Barkley said. “I want to say Johni Broome is the greatest basketball player in Auburn history. I can’t wait to go down there when we retire his jersey. He’s been great for this school, he’s the greatest player in Auburn basketball history with me and John Mengelt and Chuck Person and Mike Mitchell. But he’s taken the throne, man. And I can’t wait to go down there and retire his jersey.”

There are six numbers currently retired by Auburn. Nobody can wear 11, 15, 30, 32, Barkley’s 34, or 45. Mitchell, somebody Barkley mentioned, was the last number to be honored by the program back in 2013 with No. 30.

If Barkley was in charge, Broome’s name would be going right up there next to them. He was an Auburn legend before making a run to the Final Four. But this year’s NCAA Tournament only added to the legacy, taking the Tigers to a place they have only been once in history.

Broome averaged 16.5 points and 9.5 rebounds per game during his time under Pearl. This past season was the peak, though, going for 18.6 points and 10.8 rebounds a night. Multiple outlets named him their National Player of the Year. Going a step further, some consider Broome the greatest transfer in college basketball history after beginning his career at Morehead State.

What he did for Auburn will never be forgotten by the fanbase. There are plenty of ways to honor Broome in the future and Barkley knows how he would go about the business.

You have to imagine some kind of plan will be put in motion by athletic director John Cohen in the near future. Broome’s basketball career will continue elsewhere but representing the Tigers will be how many remember No. 4.