Auburn University announced on Sunday that standout player Johni Broome will not require surgery for his sprained left ankle. Broome, who is the Tigers’ leading scorer, sustained the injury during a closely contested game against South Carolina, which Auburn won 66-63. Head coach Bruce Pearl described the injury as a “significant sprain.”
The 6-foot-10, 240-pound fifth-year senior, who has been recognized as a preseason Associated Press All-American and is considered a contender for national player of the year, underwent an MRI on Sunday. The results confirmed a non-surgical ankle sprain, although the school has yet to provide a timeline for his return to the lineup. Auburn is expected to ascend to the No. 1 position in The Associated Press Top 25 following the recent loss of top-ranked Tennessee to Florida.
Broome’s injury occurred in the second half while he was attempting to secure a rebound, landing awkwardly on the foot of a South Carolina defender. He was seen gripping his left ankle and needed assistance from two trainers to leave the court, having recorded six points and three rebounds in 24 minutes before exiting with 13 minutes remaining. Averaging over 18 points and leading the SEC with 11.2 rebounds per game, Broome’s absence poses a significant challenge for the Tigers. Coach Pearl acknowledged the impact of losing their star player, stating, “Without our player of the year, it’s going to be hard to find offense down there. Johni’s unstoppable down there.” In Broome’s absence, players like Dylan Cardwell, who scored a crucial go-ahead dunk in the game, along with Chaney Johnson, Chris Moore, and Ja’Heim Hudson, will be called upon to step up.
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