AUBURN, Alabama — After committing to the Tigers on Saturday, basketball transfer John Broome signed his letter of intent to play basketball for Bruce PearlThe Auburn team. The coach said he was happy to have the six-foot-ten, 235-pound postman on board for the 2022-23 season.
“Johni fits the profile,” Pearl said of Broome, who will join the AU program with three years of eligibility remaining after being named Ohio Valley Conference Defensive Player of the Year last season.
“He’s a great kid and he comes from a great family – an extremely hard worker,” Pearl said of the player who stood out for two seasons at Morehead State after signing with the Eagles as a player. All-State of Florida at Tampa Catholic High School. .
“He has a strong return to the basketball game that we will take full advantage of,” Pearl said. “What’s also exciting is that he has the ability to cope and keep all five positions on the pitch. He moves well for his size.
“Assistant Coach Steven Pearl has done an outstanding job building trust and building a relationship with Johni,” added the UA Head Coach. “That played a key role in Johni’s decision.”
Broome, who made an official visit to Auburn over Easter weekend, narrowed his picks to the Tigers and Florida Gators. Broome also considered offers from Duke, Gonzaga, Houston, Kentucky, Louisville and Memphis
For the 2021-22 season, Broome was named to the Lou Henson All-America team and was a finalist for the Lou Henson Mid-Major Player of the Year award. He made 55.5% of his field goals and led the OVC in rebounding. Broome is one of seven players in Morehead State history to produce more than 500 points and 300 rebounds in a season.
He saw action in all 34 games for the Eagles and averaged 28.3 minutes of playing time per game. Broome finished the 2021-22 season with 23 double-doubles. He posted a collegiate total of 18 rebounds against Belmont. He just missed a triple-double at UT-Martin with 19 points, 12 blocked shots and nine rebounds. Broome blocked 3.9 shots per game and ranked third nationally last season in blocks.
Like he did last season, in 2020-21 he led Morehead State in scoring (13.8 points) and rebounding (9.0) while making 57.1% of his field goals. Broome was OVC Freshman of the Year, first-team All-OVC, and the league’s postseason Tournament Most Valuable Player. He has been OVC Freshman of the Week nine times.
Broome’s hometown is Plant City, Florida. As a high schooler, he averaged 19.6 points and 10.9 rebounds per game and helped Tampa Catholic reach the playoff semifinals twice after transferring to that school from Plant City High.
Pearl and his coaching staff still have one spot available for the 2022 Class of Signers. A high-priority uncommitted prospect, five-star forward Julian Phillips, made an official visit to Auburn this week. He is a senior at Link Academy in Branson, Mo.
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