Johni Broome, a standout at Auburn University, has been named the Southeastern Conference (SEC) player of the year, reflecting his exceptional performance this season, leading the league in rebounds and being third in scoring. Auburn’s impressive run this season, with a record of 27-4 overall and 15-3 in the SEC, has secured them the top seed in the upcoming conference tournament in Nashville, Tennessee. Furthermore, Auburn is strongly positioned to earn a No. 1 seed in next week’s NCAA Tournament.
Head coach Bruce Pearl has garnered accolades, being named coach of the year as voted by 16 reporters who follow the SEC. Pearl triumphed over other notable candidates, including Dennis Gates from Missouri, Mark Byington from Vanderbilt, and Todd Golden from Florida. Pearl acknowledged this honor by praising his eight assistants, emphasizing the hard work and dedication put into building a winning culture both on and off the court.
Pearl received eight out of 16 votes for the coach of the year honor, while Broome received 15 out of 16 votes, the sole exception going to Alabama’s Mark Sears. Johni Broome was unanimously included in the first team, underscoring the increasing richness of talent within the SEC, further amplified by the inclusion of Texas and Oklahoma.
Standing at 6-foot-10, the senior forward from Plant City, Florida, not only leads the SEC in blocked shots but also ranks fifth in assist-to-turnover ratio. This accomplishment is particularly notable given the guard-focused nature of modern college basketball. Broome has achieved a milestone in his career, becoming the fourth player in Division I history to amass over 2,500 career points and 1,500 career rebounds.
Both Broome and Pearl had their achievements recognized by SEC coaches as well, securing player and coach of the year titles. In a statement, Broome expressed his gratitude, noting that these honors reflect the recognition and respect from both coaches and the media, especially during a season filled with significant achievements. As the season nears its end, Broome hopes to maintain the squad’s momentum and continue making history.
Broome’s season statistics speak for themselves, averaging 18.6 points, 10.6 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 2.5 blocks per game, while maintaining just 38 turnovers over 29 games. Meanwhile, Texas guard Tre Johnson, a highly anticipated NBA lottery pick, has been announced as the SEC newcomer of the year. The freshman from the Dallas vicinity leads the league in scoring, with an average of 20.2 points per game.
Johnson comfortably surpassed competitors such as graduate transfer Chaz Lanier from Tennessee, Oklahoma freshman Jeremiah Fears, and Georgia freshman Asa Newell in the newcomer category. The first and second teams feature prominent names like Florida guard Walter Clayton Jr., Tennessee guard Chaz Lanier, and Alabama guard Mark Sears, alongside Johni Broome in the forward position.
In conclusion, the SEC continues to showcase remarkable talent and leadership with standout performances and impactful coaching, as seen in the individual honors awarded. Auburn’s strong showing this season under Bruce Pearl’s direction demonstrates the blend of skilled coaching and exceptional player talent, with Johni Broome leading as a notable example.
