5. Johni Broome
An established menace on both sides of the ball, Broome is another veteran player entering year five of college basketball, but he took a slightly different route to prominence. Broome was a mid-major star at Morehead State, becoming one of the best frontcourt presences in recent memory in the OVC. After averaging a double-double with immense defensive figures as a sophomore, he transferred to Auburn and now enters his third and final year with the Tigers.
Broome certainly has produced in his time in the SEC, coming off a season where he put up 16.5 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 2.2 blocks per game. While those specific figures are still just shy of his Morehead State numbers, he’s doing this against elite SEC defenses and much more talented forwards than were present in the OVC three or four years ago. He actually led the SEC in blocked shots and earned Tournament MVP honors, leading Auburn’s heroics last March.
As an individual, Broome is an immense weapon that any team in this sport would give anything to add to their lineup. He’s efficient in the paint, he blocks shots, and he causes havoc in the interior, with great rebounding numbers and overall production. An All-American season could be in the cards if Broome plays the way he’s played the last few seasons, with the goal to finally engineer a postseason run after Auburn’s upset last season. He has the raw talent and strength to wreck oppositions and standout as perhaps the nation’s best frontcourt player.