After taking V.J. Edgecombe third overall in Wednesday's first round, the 76ers made another notable addition in the second round of the 2025 NBA Draft.
Philadelphia selected former Auburn star Johni Broome with the 35th overall pick, adding to its frontcourt with one of the most experienced players in the NCAA last season.
Broome, who was a Wooden Award finalist and The Sporting News' 2024-25 College Basketball Player of the Year in 2024-25, is set to bring inside scoring, shot-blocking, and rebounding to a 76ers frontcourt that could use all three qualities behind the often-injured Joel Embiid.
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Here's more on how Broome will fit with the 76ers after being taken 35th overall.
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How Johni Broome fits with 76ers
With looming offseason decisions regarding players like Kelly Oubre Jr., Andre Drummond and Guerschon Yabusele, the 76ers currently lack size in their projected 2025-26 rotation. Paul George and Ricky Council IV are both capable of playing power forward — and likely will have to at times next season — but both are more frequently classified as a shooting guard or small forward, not offering much rebounding or size.
Coming into Thursday, the 76ers had just two players over 6-foot-8 outside of Embiid on their roster: Alex Reese, who was on a two-way deal last season, and Adem Bona, a young player who's much more of an athletic center than a forward.
Between the lack of forwards with size on Philadelphia's roster behind Embiid, plus a deep rotation of guards that's set to include Tyrese Maxey, Jared McCain, and Wednesday's No. 3 overall pick in Edgecombe, Broome will bring some needed physicality to Nick Nurse's unit.
At 6-9, Broome became a premiere inside scorer over his five collegiate seasons. In 2024-25 at Auburn, he averaged 18.6 points per game on 51.0 percent shooting from the floor; that inside scoring will be beneficial for Philadelphia, which has capable shooters but not much punch in the paint behind Embiid.
With Embiid's health history, this pick could also help Philadelphia utilize Broome as a small-ball center. Broome isn't much of a shooter, as he's capable of knocking down threes but mostly operates in the paint, but in any potential small-ball lineups, he certainly has the tools and experience to operate as a center who can run the pick-and-roll, make smart passes, and score closer to the rim.
Broome's rebounding and shot blocking are two more aspects that are strong fits for the 76ers' bench. In the Embiid era, Philadelphia has often struggled to find power forwards or centers that can provide secondary shot-blocking and rebounding either while on the floor next to Embiid, or as his backup. With this pick, the hope is that when Embiid isn't playing, Broome can deter shots at the rim — he averaged at least 2.0 blocks per game in four of his college seasons — and grab rebounds. If he does eventually share the floor with Embiid, Broome will likely have to develop his shooting skills more.
In all likelihood, Broome won't be a starter for the 76ers, but he does fit as a smart, experienced player who can be either a four or five while contributing with his size and instincts. As Philadelphia navigates its upcoming decisions on Oubre, Drummond, and Yabusele, Broome at least gives them some insurance with a high-floor big man who won a lot in college.
MORE: Why Johni Broome was named The Sporting News' 2024-25 College Basketball Player of the Year
76ers projected 2025-26 roster with Johni Broome
Here's a look at Philadelphia's potential roster next season with both Edgecombe and Broome, the team's two draft selections. All of the players below are under contract for the 2025-26 season, meaning players like Yabusele, Oubre, Drummond, Kyle Lowry, Quentin Grimes, and Justin Edwards are not included below.
| Player | Position | Height | Age | 2024-25 PPG |
| Joel Embiid | C | 7-0 | 31 | 23.8 |
| Tyrese Maxey | PG | 6-2 | 24 | 26.3 |
| Paul George | SG | 6-8 | 35 | 16.2 |
| Jared McCain | SG | 6-3 | 21 | 15.3 |
| Ricky Council IV | G/F | 6-6 | 23 | 7.3 |
| Adem Bona | C | 6-10 | 22 | 5.8 |
| Alex Reese | F | 6-9 | 26 | 5.3 |
| V.J. Edgecombe | G | 6-4 | 19 | — |
| Johni Broome | F | 6-10 | 22 | — |
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Johni Broome college stats
Here's a look at Broome's college numbers over two years at Morehead State and three at Auburn:
| Season | Team | Games | MIN | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TO | PF | FG% | 3P% | FT% |
| 2020-21 | Morehead State | 30 | 25.8 | 13.7 | 9.0 | 0.7 | 0.6 | 1.9 | 1.9 | 2.0 | 57.0% | 0.0% | 61.8% |
| 2021-22 | Morehead State | 34 | 28.3 | 16.8 | 10.5 | 1.2 | 0.7 | 3.9 | 2.4 | 2.5 | 55.5% | 0.0% | 63.6% |
| 2022-23 | Auburn | 33 | 26.5 | 14.2 | 8.4 | 1.3 | 0.9 | 2.4 | 1.7 | 3.0 | 52.7% | 29.0% | 56.0% |
| 2023-24 | Auburn | 35 | 24.7 | 16.5 | 8.5 | 2.2 | 0.9 | 2.2 | 1.6 | 2.4 | 54.8% | 35.4% | 61.5% |
| 2024-25 | Auburn | 36 | 30.3 | 18.6 | 10.8 | 2.9 | 0.9 | 2.1 | 1.6 | 2.1 | 51.0% | 27.8% | 58.7% |