AUBURN, Ala. — Auburn’s prominent center, Johni Broome, exited Tuesday night’s game against Georgia State early in the first half after sustaining an injury to his right shoulder.
Broome was engaged in a struggle for a defensive rebound when he suddenly clutched at his right shoulder and raced off the court, heading directly to the locker room where team doctors assessed his condition. His departure occurred just 2 minutes and 17 seconds into the game, which concluded with Auburn triumphing over Georgia State 100-59, marking their 10-1 record this season and further solidifying their position as the No. 2 ranked team.
He made a brief return to the bench midway through the first half while sporting an ice pack on the injured shoulder. At the time of his exit, the 6-foot-10 senior had recorded two points and one blocked shot.
“Unfortunately, Johni’s right shoulder kind of slipped out and came back,” commented Auburn head coach Bruce Pearl during the post-game radio discussion. “We’ll take a closer look at it tomorrow, including getting an MRI. He had a similar injury last year, so there could be some minor damage as well. He was able to move his shoulder around a little in the training room.”
Pearl expressed doubts about Broome’s availability for the upcoming game against No. 16 Purdue on Saturday, although he did not entirely dismiss the possibility of Broome playing.
Broome had previously encountered an injury to the same shoulder during a preseason exhibition earlier in 2023. Despite this setback, he managed to continue participating in the regular season, though he wore a protective sleeve on his shoulder for several initial games.
Pearl noted, “He faced a similar situation last year, so he’s accustomed to it. We’ll reassess tomorrow and provide more information. We are hopeful for his recovery.”
The timing of Broome’s injury is concerning as he has been enjoying an impressive season thus far, averaging 19.7 points and leading Division I with 12.7 rebounds per game. In a previous match on Saturday, Broome excelled with 21 points, six assists, and a career-high of 20 rebounds during a 91-53 victory against Ohio State in Atlanta.
Should Broome be unable to participate in the Purdue game, Auburn would likely promote senior forward Chaney Johnson to the starting lineup in his stead. Johnson showcased his capabilities by scoring a career-high 26 points and grabbing eight rebounds in the victory over Georgia State.
“Chaney could easily be starting this season,” Pearl remarked. “Losing one of the top players in college basketball—indeed a candidate for player of the year—would certainly impact us. However, we will have more clarity following tomorrow’s evaluations.”