From Auburn to the NBA: Broome and Pettiford Positioned as High-Value Second-Round Picks in Upcoming Draft”

Auburn basketball continues to make waves on the national stage—not only as a formidable college program but also as a reliable pipeline for NBA-ready talent. In the 2025 NBA Draft cycle, two Tigers have emerged as high-upside second-round picks: power forward/center Johni Broome and point guard Tahaad Pettiford. Both are eyeing professional futures following decorated careers in Bruce Pearl’s dynamic system, and NBA scouts are taking notice.

Though neither Broome nor Pettiford is projected to crack the lottery, their value as potential steals in the second round is a prevailing narrative among league executives. Teams seeking proven production, versatility, and upside without the first-round price tag may find their answer in this Auburn duo.

Few players in college basketball have had the kind of impact Johni Broome made in his final season at Auburn. The 6-foot-10 big man not only led the Tigers in scoring and rebounding but also served as the emotional anchor of a team that flirted with national contention for most of the 2024-25 season.

After transferring from Morehead State in 2022, Broome developed into one of the SEC’s most consistent forces. This season, he averaged 17.8 points, 8.6 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 2.4 blocks per game. His ability to stretch the floor with a 34% shooting mark from beyond the arc made him an even more intriguing NBA prospect.

Broome may lack the elite athleticism of top-tier lottery big men, but what he lacks in vertical pop he makes up for in instincts, positioning, and a relentless motor. Scouts love his ability to hedge on screens, recover, and rotate on defense. Offensively, his face-up game and soft touch give him the tools to carve out a role in the modern NBA.

“Johni Broome plays like a pro already,” one Eastern Conference scout said. “He’s not flashy, but he understands the game at a high level. He’s the kind of guy who ends up sticking in the league because he can do a bit of everything and doesn’t need plays called for him to impact the game.”

Defensive IQ: Broome is an elite shot-blocker without being a foul magnet.

• Versatile Scorer: He’s efficient in the post and can stretch the defense with a pick-and-pop jumper.
• Experience: At 22 years old, Broome brings maturity and polish often lacking in younger prospects.
• Lateral Mobility: He may struggle to guard quicker forwards and guards in switch-heavy schemes.
• Upside Ceiling: Some scouts question how much room for growth remains at his age.

Still, teams in the late first or early second round seeking frontcourt depth could do much worse than Broome. He’s drawn comparisons to players like Kevon Looney and Xavier Tillman—reliable, under-the-radar bigs who have carved out excellent roles on playoff teams.

While Broome’s path has been a steady grind, Tahaad Pettiford entered Auburn with a different kind of hype. A former five-star recruit and McDonald’s All-American, Pettiford had NBA dreams long before his first college bucket.

Though his freshman year featured some growing pains—averaging 9.7 points, 3.2 assists, and 1.3 steals in 23 minutes per game—his flashes of brilliance were impossible to ignore. At just 6-feet tall, Pettiford plays with the kind of confidence and explosiveness that evokes shades of Kemba Walker and Jalen Brunson.

Pettiford’s stock has risen sharply after a strong SEC Tournament and solid performance in Auburn’s NCAA run. His quick-twitch first step, ability to finish through contact, and penchant for timely buckets have scouts intrigued by his upside. Though he’s slightly undersized, the modern NBA has shown increasing tolerance—and even favor—for dynamic small guards who can score and create.

“What separates Pettiford is his handle and fearlessness,” one Western Conference GM said. “He can break down a defense, hit tough shots, and he’s not afraid of the moment. You just need the right system and a developmental plan.”

Strengths

• Elite Quickness: Pettiford routinely beats defenders off the dribble.
• Shot Creation: He can create for himself or others in isolation or the pick-and-roll.
• Upside: At 19, he has room to grow into a potential sixth man or starting point guard.
• Size: At 6’0″, Pettiford must prove he can hold up defensively at the NBA level.
• Decision-Making: He occasionally forces plays and can rack up turnovers under pressure.
• Shooting Consistency: He shot just 32% from three, a number that must improve.

Despite those concerns, Pettiford has the kind of upside NBA teams covet in second-round picks. He could thrive in a second-unit role where he’s given freedom to attack and develop without the burden of immediate stardom.

Both Broome and Pettiford benefit from coming out of a system run by Bruce Pearl—one of the most respected developers of talent in college basketball. From Chuma Okeke to Isaac Okoro to Jabari Smith Jr., Pearl has consistently sent well-prepared players into the NBA.

“Bruce runs a pro-style program,” said a veteran NBA scout. “Auburn players are coached hard, they defend, and they usually understand team concepts. That gives them a head start when they hit the league.”

The Auburn brand also carries weight with front offices, which often view the program as one that prepares players both mentally and physically for the grind of the 82-game season.

As the draft approaches, several teams have emerged as logical fits for Broome and Pettiford in the second round.

Possible Fits for Johni Broome

• Miami Heat (#43 overall): Miami values toughness, defense, and maturity—Broome fits the “Heat Culture” mold perfectly.
• Golden State Warriors (#52 overall): With uncertainty around their frontcourt depth, Broome could be a valuable plug-and-play big who helps them win now.
• Memphis Grizzlies (#39 overall): Injuries to Steven Adams and Brandon Clarke highlight the need for a reliable, cost-controlled big man.
• San Antonio Spurs (#35 overall): With Victor Wembanyama already in place, the Spurs are seeking guards who can break down defenses and create pace.
• Los Angeles Clippers (#46 overall): Pettiford could thrive in a bench role with veterans around him, and his scoring punch would bolster their second unit.
• Utah Jazz (#49 overall): With a rebuilding core, the Jazz could take a flier on Pettiford and give him time to develop into a high-usage guard.

Should both Broome and Pettiford hear their names called on draft night, it will represent a major recruiting and branding victory for Auburn. The Tigers have already established themselves as an elite SEC program, but continued NBA success helps Bruce Pearl pitch his program to future five-stars.

“It’s one thing to say you can get players to the league,” Pearl recently said. “It’s another thing to show that they stick in the league. That’s the goal—we want our guys to have long careers, and I think Johni and Tahaad both have what it takes.”

A successful draft outcome also validates Pearl’s ability to mold players of different backgrounds—Broome, the small-school transfer turned SEC star, and Pettiford, the blue-chip freshman phenom—into viable NBA talent.

As the pre-draft process heats up, both players are scheduled to participate in the NBA Combine and team workouts. Broome’s measurements, interviews, and mobility tests will play a large role in where he lands. For Pettiford, the spotlight will be on his shooting mechanics and ability to lead an offense in 5-on-5 scrimmages.

The margin between early second-round picks and undrafted free agents is razor-thin. One standout workout or interview can make all the difference. Still, both Auburn products are in prime position to hear their names called.

Not every NBA journey starts in the first round. Players like Draymond Green, Malcolm Brogdon, and Jalen Brunson have proven that high-value talent often falls into the second round—and makes teams pay for passing on them.

In Johni Broome and Tahaad Pettiford, NBA teams have the chance to secure two intelligent, hungry, and gifted players ready to take the next step. Whether as immediate role players or long-term investments, both men embody what every franchise wants: guys who are ready to work, ready to grow, and ready to contribute.