After an outstanding season with the Auburn Tigers, which included earning SEC Player of the Year honors, Johni Broome now looks ahead to the NBA Draft. Despite a heartbreaking loss to the Florida Gators in the Final Four, who went on to win the national title, the Tigers are focused on next season.
With Broome’s departure, head coach Bruce Pearl needs to address the forward position and find a player to potentially fill Broome’s role. The Tigers made a key addition through the transfer portal, a forward from Mississippi State, has committed to Auburn. He averaged 11.7 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks per game last season, will return to his home state where he played high school basketball in Birmingham. While it’s difficult to replace Broome’s level of dominance, adding a player like Murphy will significantly help in rebuilding the team’s roster. Currently, Auburn holds the No. 18-ranked recruiting class, with three four-star freshmen and two four-star transfers joining the squad. After an exceptional year, Bruce Pearl is excited for next season and is assembling a strong roster.
If Tahaad Pettiford returns to school, Auburn could have one of the most complete and deepest rosters in college basketball. Even without Pettiford, the team is in good hands with four-star guards Kaden Magwood and Simon Walker joining the backcourt. Auburn is shaping up to be a top team, and reigning AP Coach of the Year Bruce Pearl is eager for the season ahead.