Johni Broome is one of the fastest-rising prospects in the 2025 NBA Draft. He was a big part of why Auburn got to the Final Four in 2024–25, and he averaged 18.7 points and 10.9 rebounds per game.
Broome is part of a tightly knit family full of athletes. With a former pro basketball player for a mom and a baseball-playing dad, Broome’s talent didn’t just appear overnight.
Meet Johni Broome’s Parents, John and Julie Broome
Johni was born to parents John and Julie Broome on July 19, 2002, in Plant City, Florida. He got his 6’10” height from his mother’s family, with his grandfather having been 6-8 while one of his uncles is 6-11.
View this post on Instagram
Julie played professional basketball in Germany and later took on a coaching role at Jacksonville State University. Explaining her decision to name her son Johni, Julie told the Montgomery Advertiser that she wanted it to be unique.
“My husband is John Sr., and my oldest son is John Jr., and when we had Johni, when we knew we was having my second son, we wanted our kids’ names to be unique… just have their own personality, have their own name, let it be something that you’re not one of many. With that comes character and strength, so we decided, after a couple of different options, it was going to be Johni.”
Meanwhile, John Broome took a different athletic path. He was a former baseball player at Alabama State University himself, so the competitive edge runs in the family. But it wasn’t just about sports.
John Sr. instilled a work ethic early on, running a lawn-care company that kept Johni busy on summer days in Plant City, Florida. Whether it was passing out flyers or cutting grass, Broome learned early that success isn’t just given, it’s earned.
Johni also has two older siblings: his brother, John Jr., played football at Florida International University, and his sister, Jade’a.
Johni has acknowledged the support of his parents and given them credit for his success. “My family deserves a lot of credit for everything,” Johni told The Athletic.
The parents have been equally proud of the forward, and more so after he delivered a fantastic performance against Michigan State in the Elite Eight, recording 22 points and 16 rebounds while nursing an elbow injury.
“Words can’t explain, I mean I’m speechless, you know, but to say the least, I’m proud…Tears of joy to say the least,” his father said after the game.
Julie was equally proud of her son fulfilling the dream, and the family would certainly be more proud when the Tigers forward hears his name called on June 25 at Barclays Center.
