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NO DEAL ACCEPTED: Auburn Tigers Basketball Rising Star Johni Broome Makes History by Claiming the Coveted 2025 Oscar Robertson Trophy, Honoring Him As the Nation’s Top Collegiate Basketball Player with a Stellar Performance
AUBURN, Ala. — “I’m not chasing a deal—
stood atop college basketball’s grandest individual stage, hoisting the 2025 Oscar Robertson Trophy high above his head, forever etching his name among the legends of the game.
In a season defined by chaos, upsets, and a barrage of transfer portal news, Broome offered one constant: dominance. And now, he has been rightfully crowned the nation’s top collegiate basketball player—an honor that underscores his unwavering loyalty to Auburn, his elite two-way skill set, and his heart that never stopped beating for the Tigers.
Johni Broome didn’t just play basketball in the 2024-25 season—he commanded it. The senior forward averaged 22.1 points, 11.3 rebounds, 3.2 blocks, and 2.1 assists per game, while shooting an astounding 57.4% from the field and 42.5% from beyond the arc—a rare blend of post mastery and perimeter finesse.
His presence was magnetic. Fans packed Neville Arena nightly just to watch him impose his will, and opponents scrambled to strategize, though few succeeded in slowing him down. Whether it was swatting shots into oblivion or burying a clutch corner three in the final seconds, Broome delivered highlight after highlight.
“He’s the most complete player in college basketball,” Auburn head coach Bruce Pearl said. “Defense, offense, leadership—Johni has it all. And more than anything, he bleeds orange and blue. That’s what makes this so special.”
The Oscar Robertson Trophy, presented by the United States Basketball Writers Association (USBWA), is not merely an accolade—it is a statement of legacy. Past winners include the likes of Larry Bird, Michael Jordan, Kevin Durant, and Zion Williamson. Now, add Johni Broome to that list.
What sets this moment apart is the context. In an era where collegiate stars frequently opt for NIL deals and transfer opportunities, Broome chose loyalty. After weighing multiple lucrative offers to transfer or turn pro, Broome declared last summer: “I came to Auburn to build something. I’m staying to finish it.”
That decision reverberated through the program and, ultimately, paid off in the form of individual greatness and collective success.
While some players across the country jumped ship for bigger checks, Broome stood firm. His decision to forgo multi-million-dollar NIL offers from powerhouse programs like Kansas, Duke, and USC stunned many. Insiders revealed Broome turned down an estimated $2.8 million in combined NIL and endorsement income.
“I had agents, handlers, brands all knocking,” Broome said. “But at the end of the day, I play for Auburn. I play for this team, these fans, and that jersey.”
That refusal became a rallying cry: “No Deal Accepted.” It trended on X (formerly Twitter), inspired apparel across the Plains, and turned Broome into a symbol of grit, loyalty, and purpose-driven success.
The Tigers finished the season 31-5, winning the SEC regular-season title for the first time in nearly a decade. They earned a No. 2 seed in the NCAA Tournament and made a dramatic Final Four run that captivated the nation.
In the tournament, Broome averaged 24.7 points, 13.2 rebounds, and 4.0 blocks per game, including a 32-point, 17-rebound, 5-block masterpiece in the Elite Eight against Baylor that is now being hailed as one of the most dominant performances in tournament history.
“I’ve never seen anything like that,” Baylor head coach Scott Drew admitted postgame. “He’s a generational talent.”
The 2025 Oscar Robertson Trophy is not just about stats. It’s about heart. It’s about leadership. It’s about representing your school and community with pride. And no one embodied those values more than Broome.
Every game, he stayed after to sign autographs. He mentored freshmen. He visited local schools. He led team Bible studies. He volunteered with Meals on Wheels. He embraced being more than a basketball player—he became a campus icon.
And in a time when college sports feel increasingly transactional, Broome’s story struck a chord with America.
“He reminded us what college basketball is supposed to be about,” said USBWA President David Jones. “Loyalty. Passion. Integrity. Johni didn’t just earn this trophy—he redefined it.”
Broome’s relationship with Bruce Pearl was central to his evolution. Pearl not only recruited him fiercely but poured into him emotionally, spiritually, and tactically. The result? A player transformed.
“I don’t care who you’re talking about—this kid is the most impactful player I’ve ever coached,” Pearl said, comparing him favorably to past Auburn greats like Jabari Smith Jr. and Chuma Okeke. “He willed this team to greatness.”
Pearl also confirmed that Auburn is already in the process of building a statue of Broome—set to be unveiled during the 2025-26 season. “He’s going to be remembered here forever.”
With his collegiate career now complete, Broome turns his attention to the NBA. Scouts project him as a potential lottery pick, citing his elite rim protection, rebounding instincts, and vastly improved perimeter game.
One Eastern Conference scout said: “He has the motor of Kenneth Faried, the footwork of Al Horford, and the three-point touch of Lauri Markkanen. He’s ready.”
Yet even as he prepares for the next chapter, Broome remains grounded.
“I’m just thankful,” he said. “Thankful to God, my family, my coaches, my teammates, and every Auburn fan who believed in me. This trophy is for all of you.”
As news of Broome’s Oscar Robertson Trophy win broke, fans gathered in Toomer’s Corner to celebrate. Auburn Mayor Ron Anders announced April 22nd as “Johni Broome Day,” complete with a parade, campus ceremony, and community concert featuring country star Jordan Davis.
Students painted murals. Local businesses offered free meals in his honor. Neville Arena’s entrance was draped with a banner that read: “He Said No Deal. He Said Yes to Auburn.”
Even Alabama fans begrudgingly acknowledged his greatness. “I hate to admit it,” one said on social media, “but Broome earned that. Total baller.”
In the final moments of the season, with the clock winding down and Auburn up big in their Final Four semifinal win, Broome sat on the bench, towel draped over his shoulders, tears in his eyes.
“I just thought about the journey,” he said later. “From Plant City, Florida, to Auburn. From being underrated to being unstoppable. I gave it everything I had. And now I get to say I left it better than I found it.”
He did more than that—he left a legacy that may never be matched.
- Points Per Game: 22.1
- Rebounds Per Game: 11.3
- Blocks Per Game: 3.2
- Field Goal Percentage: 57.4%
- Three-Point Percentage: 42.5%
- Double-Doubles: 26
- Team Record: 31-5
- SEC Champion
- Final Four Appearance
- Oscar Robertson Trophy Winner
Johni Broome didn’t need a deal to define him. He didn’t need fame to fuel him. What he needed was a team, a school, and a purpose. Auburn gave him all three—and in return, he gave them history.
As the confetti falls and the trophy gleams, Broome stands not just as a champion, but as a symbol of what’s still possible in college sports: loyalty, legacy, and love for the game.
“No deal accepted,” Broome said once again at the close of his speech, the crowd roaring in approval. “Only greatness.”
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