Sixers get a solid insurance policy behind Joel Embiid, draft Auburn’s Johni Broome with the 36th overall pick in the NBA Draft

The Sixers were looking for a rock-solid, insurance policy behind Joel Embiid, they just found one in Round 2 of the NBA draft. Philly took Johni Broome from Auburn with the 36th pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, a move that fired up a chunk of Sixers fans on draft night.

76ers draft Johni Broome with the 36th overall pick in the NBA Draft

The Philadelphia 76ers have selected Johni Broome with the No. 35 pick. They will be keeping and rostering this pick.

The SEC Player of the Year, Broome was one of the best players in college basketball the past 3 seasons. Brings strong physicality, skill and feel for the game. pic.twitter.com/oYdkb2Do5L

— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) June 27, 2025

Johni Broome may not be flashy, but the man plays like he’s been in the league five years already. With Embiid’s injury history, Philly had to come out of this draft with a reliable front court body. That’s exactly what Broome brings.

The 6-foot-10 super senior averaged 18.6 points, 10.6 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 2.4 blocks this past season at Auburn. He’s physical. He talks, he defends, and he absolutely sets the tone with his effort and energy.

Strengths: Old-School Big Man Skills

Johni Broome’s no lob threat. He’s not stretching the floor either. He is however, a gamer.

Broome’s IQ and passing from the high and low post are next-level for a rookie. He makes slick reads, quick decisions, and hits cutters in stride which is exactly the kind of connective piece that keeps Nick Nurse’s offense humming.

He also finishes through contact, has soft touch on hooks and floaters, and isn’t afraid to grind. If Embiid needs a night off, you could throw Broome in and trust he’ll battle on the boards, hold down the paint, and do the little things that win games in February.

Weaknesses: Old-School Big Man Skills

Now, there’s a reason he slid to the second round. I watch this guy and I can’t help but thinking that he’s Jahlil Okafor 2.0 that won’t adapt to today’s version of the NBA.

The fact that he has no offensive game outside of the paint is a glaring issue for me. Johni Broome’s jumper is still a work in progress. He hit just 31% from three over five college seasons and barely cracked 61% at the free throw line. His form isn’t broken, but it’s not there yet.

While he’s a solid defender in the paint, he’s not a switch-everything guy. Smaller, quicker guards will give him fits on the perimeter.

The Fit in Philly

It’s a smart add. Between Broome, Adem Bona, and potentially Andre Drummond (who has a player option and could still return), the Sixers now have depth behind Embiid that doesn’t rely on scrap-heap signings or G League flyers.

With Guerschon Yabusele possibly walking in free agency, and Quentin Grimes commanding priority in restricted free agency, grabbing a versatile 4/5 type on a rookie deal is just good roster building.

Daryl Morey Speaks

Daryl Morey called the Broome pick a “best player available” situation and a move that added “size, maturity, and physicality” to a young core that now includes Tyrese Maxey, Jared McCain, VJ Edgecombe, and Adem Bona.

I will say, the Sixers are quietly building one of the more intriguing young rotations in the East, and Broome has a real shot to stick around if he embraces the grinder role.

Not a sexy pick, but a damn smart one.

Johni Broome won’t sell jerseys but he’ll battle for loose balls, make the right pass, and bring some attitude to the second unit.

For a team that’s never had a true Embiid fallback plan, this feels like the most stable option they’ve had in years.

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