CAMDEN, N.J. — Philadelphia 76ers rookie Johni Broome is looking to make a name for himself in his maiden NBA season after being selected with the No. 35 pick in the 2025 draft. The SEC Player of the Year averaged 18.6 points and 10.8 rebounds with Auburn in 2024-25.
As he prepares for his rookie season, Broome spent the summer in Las Vegas putting in work at the summer league in an effort to get used to the NBA game early. He averaged 11.6 points and 7.4 rebounds while shooting 38.9% from deep in seven games split between the Vegas and Salt Lake City leagues.
The summer league isn’t exactly what the NBA is like, but it does give Broome an idea of what to expect when the season begins.
“Summer league was a good experience for me,” Broome said. “It’s kind of getting used to playing in a format of NBA. Obviously, not NBA yet, but it’s kind of similar, but it was kind of good playing with some of my teammates, and I can get used to it.”
Broome was able to get a couple of games in with fellow 2025 draftee VJ Edgecombe as the Sixers look ahead to the future a bit along with trying to get them ready to help the team win at the present moment.
Entering a unique situation, Broome is on a Sixers team with a ton of veterans such as superstar Joel Embiid, Andre Drummond, Eric Gordon, Kyle Lowry, and others. This gives him the opportunity to learn a ton from the well-established players around him and allows him to grow as a player in this league. When it comes to his rookie season, Broome is looking to soak up some knowledge.
“I think my biggest focus during the preseason and camp has been work on my body, get in better shape,” Broome finished. “Continue to work on my jump shot. Just continue and soak in all the knowledge that I can.”
The next preseason game for the Sixers is set for Friday against the Orlando Magic as Broome continues to move forward.