The Auburn Tigers advanced to the semifinals of the SEC Tournament after defeating the Ole Miss Rebels 62-57 on Friday. Star center Johni Broome had a huge performance that simply amazed Ole Miss head coach Chris Beard.

Broome's brilliant play had Beard calling him “worthy” in the NCAA basketball landscape. The 22-year-old center recorded 23 points and 15 rebounds in Auburn's win on Friday.

Johni Broome is in the running for the Naismith POTY award, as well as the Wooden Award. Duke Blue Devils' star Cooper Flagg is the only player listed ahead of him in the betting odds as the favorite to win both. Regardless, Beard clearly loved what he saw from Broome and had to give him props for his excellent play in the SEC Tournament.

Article Continues Below
More NCAA Basketball News
University of South Carolina women's basketball coach Dawn Staley answers a question by moderator Dan Hughes during the University of Mount Union's Schooler Lecture speaker series on April 23, 2025, in Alliance, Ohio Mandatory Credit: © Kevin Whitlock / Massillon Independent / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Dawn Staley jokes about un-retiring after getting A’ja Wilson’s shoesZachary Draves ·
Montana State Bobcats forward Brandon Walker (2) shoots the ball defended by Grambling State Tigers guard Jourdan Smith (11) in the second half at UD Arena.
Mississippi State basketball gets 14.7-PPG transfer from NCAA Tournament teamScotty White ·
The University of Texas announces Sean Miller as their new men's basketball coach
Sean Miller reveals 2 reasons why Texas basketball job lured him away from XavierScotty White ·
Apr 18, 2012; Dallas, TX, USA; Houston Rockets point guard Earl Boykins (6) warms up before the game against the Dallas Mavericks at the American Airlines Center. The Mavericks defeated the Rockets 117-110. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
USC basketball bolsters coaching staff with ex-NBA guardZachary Draves ·
St. John's Red Storm head coach Rick Pitino speaks to the media during a press conference at Amica Mutual Pavilion.
St. John’s basketball coach Rick Pitino stuns fans with 40-year Thunder defense takeJaren Kawada ·
General view of a NCAA March Madness logo during a practice sessions in preparation for an East Regional semifinal games at Prudential Center.
March Madness expansion earns strong endorsement from Big 12 commishScotty White ·

The Auburn star has been solid for the Tigers all season long. Through 29 games played, Broome averaged 18.6 points, 10.6 rebounds, and 2.4 blocks per game while shooting 50.6% from the field and 61.6% from the free-throw line. Broome led the nation in rebounds and blocks, serving as a true anchor for the Tigers all season long.

Thanks to Broome's efforts, Auburn advances to the SEC Tournament semifinals, where they'll be taking on the Tennessee Volunteers. The Tigers are viewed as a major threat to win the NCAA Tournament this season, as the team finished with a 28-4 regular season record.

Led by head coach Bruce Pearl, Auburn is once again primed for a deep run in the upcoming tournament. This will mark the fourth consecutive year in which the Tigers make it to the big dance. Pearl is still chasing his first national championship win after being bounced out within the first three rounds in the previous three seasons.

As for Broome, he's expected to enter the 2025 NBA Draft at the end of this college basketball season. Experts have him projected as a late first-round or early second-round pick. This is largely due to him being more of a traditional center, whereas centers in the NBA have adapted to shoot from three-point range regularly.