Johni Broome’s NBA Dream Comes True on Eventful Draft Night
Johni Broome always dreamed of hearing his name called on NBA Draft night. On Thursday, that dream became a reality when the Philadelphia 76ers selected the Auburn University center with the 35th overall pick in the second round.
“Being here is probably the most exciting moment of my life so far,” Broome shared. “As a kid, you always want to be drafted, hear your name called, put on the hat. Going through the moment, it just feels surreal.”
The NBA Draft resumed for its second night at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center, featuring trades and unexpected selections that kept fans and players on the edge of their seats.
Trades and Surprises Highlight Second Round
The second round kicked off with Rasheer Fleming heading to the Phoenix Suns, who acquired his rights from the Minnesota Timberwolves earlier in the day. Fleming, a forward from Saint Joseph’s University, averaged 14.7 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks last season.
“It was a long day now that I think about it,” Fleming said about his whirlwind experience. “But everything happened so fast. This was a great experience—a crazy feeling.”
Another notable selection was Ryan Kalkbrenner from Creighton University, a four-time Big East Conference Defensive Player of the Year. The Charlotte Hornets picked the standout center at No. 34, one spot ahead of Broome.
Lakers Make a Move
The Los Angeles Lakers struck a deal with the Brooklyn Nets to acquire Adou Thiero, the 36th pick from the University of Arkansas. The Lakers are hopeful that the 21-year-old forward will develop quickly, especially as they navigate salary cap considerations for the upcoming season.
Draft Shortened by Tampering Penalty
This year’s NBA Draft featured only 59 selections instead of the usual 60. The New York Knicks forfeited their second-round pick as part of a tampering penalty related to their signing of guard Jalen Brunson from the Dallas Mavericks in 2022.
