How Johni Broome Is Replaced by the Auburn Tigers

When Johni Broome announced he was entering the 2024 NBA Draft, it marked the end of a dominant chapter for Auburn basketball and the beginning of a new challenge for head coach Bruce Pearl. Broome wasn’t just a star; he was the engine of the Tigers’ interior game—a double-double machine with a soft touch, fierce rebounding instincts, and relentless shot-blocking presence. Replacing that kind of production and leadership isn’t just about plugging in another big man. It’s about reshaping the identity of a team.

So, how do the Auburn Tigers plan to replace one of the most productive big men in the nation? The answer lies in a combination of strategic portal acquisitions, player development, a shift in offensive philosophy, and faith in the next generation of Tiger bigs.

Johni Broome’s Legacy: A Big Shadow

First, it’s important to understand what Broome meant to Auburn. In his two seasons on the Plains after transferring from Morehead State, Broome became the centerpiece of Auburn’s frontcourt. He averaged 16.8 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks per game in 2023–24 and was a First-Team All-SEC selection and Naismith Defensive Player of the Year semifinalist.

But stats only tell part of the story.

Broome’s presence in the paint dictated how opposing teams attacked (or didn’t) the rim. He anchored the defense, closed out hard, and erased mistakes. On offense, he had developed a dependable mid-range jumper, improved passing from the post, and even extended his range beyond the arc.

Replacing Broome isn’t about replacing a player—it’s about replacing a system.

Plan A: The Transfer Portal

Bruce Pearl has never shied away from the transfer portal, and the Tigers once again dove headfirst into the offseason market. With Broome gone, Auburn’s top priority was to land a big who could compete in the SEC immediately.

Enter Clifford Omoruyi, the 6-foot-11 defensive stalwart from Rutgers.

Omoruyi brings four years of experience and a defensive skill set eerily similar to Broome’s. A two-time All-Big Ten defender, Omoruyi averaged 10.4 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 2.8 blocks in 2023–24. He’s not as offensively polished as Broome, but he offers elite rim protection and physicality. He’s also a lob threat in pick-and-roll sets—something Auburn lacked at times during Broome’s more grounded post-up style.

Omoruyi is not a carbon copy, but his arrival ensures Auburn won’t lose its defensive identity in the paint. Pearl has already hinted that the Tigers will prioritize rim-running and transition defense in 2024–25, with Omoruyi as the anchor.

Plan B: Letting Development Take Root

Auburn isn’t just looking outward. The Tigers have been preparing for life after Broome for some time. Two key returners—Dylan Cardwell and Chaney Johnson—will be expected to take on bigger roles.

Cardwell, a 6-foot-11 senior, has long been a fan favorite thanks to his hustle, shot-blocking, and energy off the bench. While he’s never been a focal point of the offense, Cardwell is a capable rim protector and screen-setter. He’s also one of the vocal leaders in the locker room.

Johnson, a 6-foot-7 forward who transferred from UAH, showed flashes last season of being a stretch-four with upside. He has the agility to switch defensively and enough range to keep defenses honest. If he can grow into a hybrid frontcourt role, he gives Auburn the flexibility to go small when needed.

More importantly, redshirt freshman Micah Johnson, a 6-foot-10 athletic big from Georgia, is expected to compete for minutes. He spent last year developing under Broome and Cardwell and reportedly impressed in practice with his footwork, motor, and rebounding instincts. He might be raw, but he could be a key piece down the stretch.

Plan C: Style Shift and Positionless Basketball

Without Broome’s back-to-the-basket game, Bruce Pearl is preparing to shift Auburn’s offensive system toward a more modern, pace-and-space approach. That means:

More pick-and-roll actions.
Greater emphasis on spacing with shooters at all five positions.
Switch-heavy defense to maximize versatility.

Expect Auburn to resemble something closer to the 2019 Final Four team with a wide-open, fast-paced game plan. Pearl has already recruited accordingly. Guards like Aden Holloway and Tre Donaldson will be expected to push tempo and facilitate.

This style reduces the burden on the post. Rather than funneling the offense through one dominant big like Broome, Auburn will spread the ball and create mismatches. That bodes well for athletic forwards who can move without the ball, like incoming freshman Malik Campbell, a top-100 recruit with excellent finishing ability and defensive upside.

Leadership by Committee

Another underrated aspect of Broome’s departure is the loss of leadership. He wasn’t the most vocal Tiger, but his work ethic, maturity, and example led the way.

With him gone, the leadership mantle is passed down. Dylan Cardwell will lead by voice and energy. K.D. Johnson, the emotional spark plug, returns as the heart of the backcourt. Transfers like Omoruyi are older and experienced, but they’ll need time to earn the locker room’s trust.

Bruce Pearl believes in leadership by committee. That philosophy has worked in past years, especially with deep rosters. Auburn’s 2024–25 team won’t rely on one player to set the tone—it’ll be about culture. And Pearl’s culture is already in place.

Recruiting for the Future

While the 2024–25 roster may be patchwork in the frontcourt, the pipeline is far from empty. Auburn is in the mix for several elite 2025 and 2026 big men, including 5-star center Tariq Whitehead and 4-star forward Landon Ellis. These recruiting efforts show Pearl’s commitment to reloading, not rebuilding.

More importantly, Auburn’s success in developing Broome from a solid mid-major player into an NBA Draft pick has become a selling point. Recruits see what Pearl’s system can do for their careers.

Will There Be Growing Pains?

Absolutely. Any time you lose a player like Johni Broome, the transition comes with questions. Can Omoruyi adjust to the SEC grind? Can Cardwell produce consistently in a starting role? Will the team sacrifice offensive efficiency without Broome’s dependable post game?

Pearl isn’t worried.

“We’re going to defend, we’re going to run, and we’re going to compete,” he said in an offseason interview. “Johni left a legacy we’re proud of, and now we’re building something new. That’s how it works at Auburn.”

Replacing a Star by Reimagining the System

The Tigers won’t replace Johni Broome with one player. That’s not realistic. Instead, Auburn is approaching the task like a program, not a project. They’re building layers: