Johni Broome injury update: Auburn updates star center's health, troubling news emerges

After suffering an injury early in Tuesday’s game against Georgia State, Auburn center Johni Broome has been ruled out for the second half and was wearing a sling on his arm. He appeared to hurt his shoulder while going for a rebound and returned in a hoodie at one point.

Broome went back to the locker room after his injury and came back out with a hoodie on while still wearing his uniform shorts. He appeared to have an ice pack on his shoulder underneath his hoodie as he returned to the bench.

CBS Sports’ Jon Rothstein reported Auburn planned to reevaluate Broome at halftime. However, he ultimately was unable to go and wasn’t in uniform out of the break. Auburn Live’s Justin Hokanson reported Broome spent some extra time in the locker room before coming back out.

Broome is making a strong early case for National Player of the Year, helping fuel Auburn’s 9-1 start to the year. Entering Tuesday night, he averaged 19.7 points and 12.7 rebounds to lead the Tigers’ attack.

At the time of his departure, Broome had two points in two minutes of action. Auburn remained in full control against Georgia State, though, taking a 43-31 lead into halftime. Chaney Johnson led the first-half charge with 13 points and six rebounds while Chad Baker-Mazara was close behind with 11 points.

Broome is coming off one of his biggest games of the year last time out. He scored 21 points and pulled down 20 rebounds against Ohio State to lead Auburn to the resounding 91-53 victory. The Tigers’ only blemish came against Duke, which won an 84-78 thriller earlier this month.

Still, Broome is generating plenty of buzz around college basketball. In fact, ESPN’s Jay Williams declared him the early favorite to win National Player of the Year late last month.

“I know talking about the National Player of the Year Award before Thanksgiving is similar to talking about the Heisman in August, but I don’t care,” Williams said. “This dude, against three Top-15 opponents – North Carolina, Houston, Iowa State – is averaging 21 points per game, 13 rebounds on 57% shooting. So far, in the first half [against Memphis], 15 points, 10 rebounds, five assists and three blocks.

“If we were having a National Player of the Year conversation starting before Thanksgiving, Johni Broome’s name is leading that category. He’s 22 years old, he understands how to play, his offensive game has gotten better. I think you’re looking at the complete package right now.”