Johni Broome is set to commence his first NBA training camp on Saturday. The former Auburn All-American has been busy preparing for his rookie season, including training sessions with former NBA MVP Joel Embiid during voluntary offseason workouts with the Philadelphia 76ers.
“He’s fantastic,” Broome stated on Friday. “I had to guard him during practice the other day, and he scored a few times in a row. That’s expected; good defense runs into great offense. That’s just the kind of player he is.”
“I’m thankful to practice against him and to have him as a teammate this year. He’s a great individual to learn from—very approachable about tuning up areas where I need improvement. He’s going to be a key asset during my rookie season.”
Broome was selected 35th overall by the Philadelphia 76ers in the 2025 NBA Draft. While second-round picks do not have guaranteed spots on the roster, Broome is expected to add depth in rebounding, an area where the team struggled last season due to injuries.
The 76ers’ playoff streak ended after the 2024-25 season, where they recorded a 24-58 record. Star center Embiid only played 19 games, and All-Star Paul George missed half the season.
“I’ve been playing at both the four and five positions,” Broome shared. “It’s a bit of a positionless game. I need to focus on rebounding, shooting, and playing solid defense, including ball screens. Learning the offense at multiple positions to be effective on the court is essential.”
Broome gained some experience in summer league play with the 76ers, averaging 9.0 points, 7.0 rebounds, 1.3 steals, and 1.3 blocked shots over three games in Salt Lake City, and followed up with averages of 13.5 points and 7.8 rebounds in four games in Las Vegas.
While Broome was recognized as a first-team All-American last college season and led Auburn to a Final Four appearance, he recognizes the need to continue improving to secure his role on the 76ers rather than the Delaware Blue Coats, their NBA G League affiliate.
“There are many areas where I can improve,” Broome noted. “It’s about positioning, floor spacing, and just minor adjustments. It’s essential to meet offensive threats quickly and contribute effectively on both ends.”
The 76ers are set to begin their preseason schedule against the New York Knicks on October 2 and 4 at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
