Auburn’s Johni Broome Struggles at NBA Combine, Faces Draft Uncertainty

AUBURN, Alabama — Auburn Tigers forward Johni Broome is competing for a position in this year’s NBA Draft. The 22-year-old has been one of the standout players in college basketball this season, earning recognition as a first-round talent.

However, concerns arose after Broome’s performance at the NBA Combine, which runs from May 11 to May 18. Fans and scouts appeared skeptical following a video uploaded by @DraftExpress on X, previously known as Twitter, showcasing Broome’s struggles in the vertical leap drill.

During the event, Broome was unable to reach the top benchmark stick, which is significant for college prospects trying to impress scouts. Many college basketball enthusiasts remarked on the footage, expressing disappointment. “Did all that warming up just to barely get off the ground. Sad,” one user wrote, accompanied by a laughing emoji.

Other comments were also critical. “This is so nasty, to post only this attempt after he swiped the other sticks,” stated another X user, who added a crying emoji. Another jested, “Bro got the hops of a 5-year-old,” while one more quipped, “Home Depot is hiring lil bro.”

Despite the criticisms over his vertical leap, Broome remains projected as the No. 37 overall pick in the draft. Analysts expect that if he is selected, it could be by the young and ambitious Detroit Pistons. The Pistons recently concluded the season with a 44-38 record, earning the sixth seed in the Eastern Conference.

As the combine progresses, there is still time for Broome to improve his stock and address the concerns highlighted by observers.