Johni Broome withdraws from NBA Draft, returning to Auburn

Johni Broome has decided to withdraw from the 2023 NBA Draft and return to play for the Auburn Tigers. A huge piece to head coach Bruce Pearl‘s 2022-2023 roster, Broome deciding to come back to the Plains should prove to be significant for the program.

He will likely feature as one of the SEC’s better big men during his second season with Auburn. The NBA will still be there for Broome this time next year as he returns to continue his development under Pearl and Auburn basketball.

Broome announced his NBA decision himself, saying there is “unfinished business.”

Unfinished business 🤝🏽 Can we run it back auburn family? pic.twitter.com/6zFe96jggt

— Johni Broome (@JohniBroome) May 29, 2023

Memorial Day Weekend for Pearl just became a whole lot better. Broome was going to play a key role in 2023-2024, whether he was on it or not. Had there been a decision to stick with the NBA Draft, Pearl likely would have had to find another piece.

Broome transferred to Auburn via Morehead State and instantly translated well to the SEC. In 33 games, Broome averaged 14.2 points and 8.4 rebounds per game while shooting at a 52.7% clip. His rebounding average was good enough for third in the conference as well.

Broome withdraws, more on the 2023 NBA Draft

The 2023 NBA Draft is set to take place on Thursday, June 22, 2023, in Brooklyn at Barclays Center. Round 1 of the draft will be announced by NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, while Deputy Commissioner Mark Tatum is expected to handle the second round of picks.

To be eligible for the NBA Draft, players must be at least 19 years of age during the calendar year that the draft is held and at least one NBA season from their high school graduation date, or the date that would have been if they are not graduated. It is not required that players spend that one-year playing college basketball, though. Players can play in either college, abroad, or the G League Ignite if they choose to.

While this is a significant change from what the rules once were, players are eligible to enter their names into the NBA Draft pool and explore their options by hiring an agent to go through the process, while still keeping their college eligibility. The deadline to make that move is on April 23 beginning at 11:59 p.m. ET. Players have until June 12 at 5 p.m. ET to withdraw their name from the pool and return to college.