Bruce Pearl Provides Johni Broome Injury Update Following Auburn's Narrow Win

The forward has been one of the nation's most productive players this season.

Johni Broome during No. 2 Auburn's 84–68 win over Missouri on Jan. 4, 2025. | Jake Crandall/ Advertiser / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Auburn is off to a stellar 14-1 start this season and carries the nation's No. 2 ranking—and the Tigers have forward Johni Broome to thank for that.

In his fifth season in college basketball, Broome has raised his game to new heights. His 18.7 points per game are a career high, while his 11.2 rebounds and 2.7 blocks per game lead the SEC.

On Saturday, however, Broome suffered an ankle sprain as Auburn narrowly avoided defeat in a 66–63 win over South Carolina. Making matters worse, coach Bruce Pearl told Field of 68's Jeff Goodman the injury is significant.

“That’s what we think," Pearl said via Goodman. "We will get tests tomorrow to make sure.”

Auburn coach Bruce Pearl just told me that the early indications are that Johni Broome’s ankle injury is a significant sprain and it’s likely he’ll Miss some time.

“That’s what we think. We will get tests tomorrow to make sure.”

— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanHoops) January 11, 2025

Broome's absence is significant for a team beginning conference play in what is widely considered one of the deepest leagues in college basketball history. The Tigers have a stretch of four of six games against ranked teams on the way, and are currently scheduled to close the regular season against four straight ranked teams.

Next up for Auburn in the near term is No. 14 Mississippi State on Tuesday.

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