Auburn forward [autotag]Johni Broome[/autotag] won the first of what is expected to be many accolades during his final collegiate season on Monday. Auburn’s best, and most impactful, player was bestowed SEC Player of the Week honors after leading his Tigers to a perfect 2-0 start to the season.
The 6-10 superstar was solid in Auburn’s opener against Vermont, but erupted into dominant form in the Tigers’ neutral-site win over No. 4 Houston, scoring 20 points alongside nine rebounds, five blocks, three assists, and two steals. Broome now has 32 points, 16 boards, seven blocks, five assists, and three steals through Auburn’s first two contests.
Last season’s SEC Tournament MVP, the Plant City, Florida native has much bigger plans for his final season on the Plains than winning conference player of the week. Still, the honor shows Broome can become the best player in the conference over any given stretch, which could prove pivotal to [autotag]Bruce Pearl[/autotag]’s team’s success throughout a long SEC basketball campaign.
Broome is unlikely to defend his Player of the Week title in the second seven-day stretch of the campaign as Auburn only plays one game this week, on Wednesday against Kent State. The Tigers get busy shortly after that as the team travels to Maui for the Maui Invitational after another home contest against North Alabama.
The Tigers open the Maui Invitational against No. 7 Iowa State on Nov. 25. Broome and Auburn could also face any combination of No. 3 UConn, No. 11 North Carolina, and perennial Final Four threat Michigan State during their stay in Hawaii.
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