What does it mean: Johni Broome earns NBA Draft Combine invite, transfer target Tyrin Lawrence does not
Auburn basketball center Johni Broome showed up and showed out at the NBA G League Elite Camp on May 13 and 14 at the Wintrust Arena in Chicago, Ill.
Broome participated in games on Saturday and Sunday. In his first game on Saturday, Broome finished with 23 points on 8-of-11 shooting, adding four rebounds. In his second game on Sunday evening, Broome finished with 17 points on 8-of-14 shooting, adding eight rebounds.
Those two performances earned Broome an invite to the NBA Draft Combine that begins on Monday, May 15. It’s a significant development for Broome and Auburn.
Broome, measuring 6-foot-9 and 247 pounds at the camp, was his team’s leading scorer in both games, finishing with 40 points on 16-of-25 shooting in two games.
In April, Johni Broome, along with teammate Jaylin Williams, announced intentions to enter their names into the NBA Draft. Broome averaged over 14 points, eight rebounds and two blocks per game last season at Auburn after transferring from Morehead State.
Meanwhile, Vanderbilt transfer portal target Tyrin Lawrence did not earn an invite to the NBA Draft Combine. Lawrence scored 11 points in his first game, while failing to score in his second game. Among the G League Elite Camp participants, Lawrence finished with the second-best 3/4 court sprint time at 3.14 seconds and the fourth-best vertical jump at 38 inches. Lawrence measured 6-foot-3 and 190 pounds.
The 2023 NBA G League Elite Camp gives draft prospects an opportunity to display their skills in front of NBA and NBA G League scouts, coaches and front-office executives over the course of the camp by playing in five-on-five games and participating in strength and agility drills.
Based on performance, select players from the NBA G League Elite Camp will be invited to participate in Microsoft Surface NBA Draft Combine 2023, which will be held May 15-21 at Wintrust Arena.
What does Johni Broome’s performance mean for himself? Auburn basketball?
As noted above, select players from the G League Elite Camp earned the opportunity to compete in the NBA Draft Combine that starts on Monday. Most players invited to the NBA Draft Combine are specifically selected by NBA teams and scouts as players of serious interest to be drafted. In other words, if you’re competing in the NBA Draft Combine, you’re legitimately on the radar to be drafted.
Heading into the NBA G League Elite Camp, it wasn’t expected that Broome might earn a call-up spot, although it was possible. Broome’s impressive two-day performance certainly changes some dynamics around Broome and Auburn basketball’s immediate future. Broome will participate in the draft combine this week and receive additional feedback from NBA teams. Broome’s invitation to the draft combine increases the possibility he keeps his name in the draft, but it doesn’t guarantee anything.
Based on how the remainder of the week goes in Chicago, Broome and his family might have serious decisions to make over the next week or two.
As for Auburn, losing Broome would be impactful. Broome earned second-team All-SEC honors last season and would be one of the SEC’s best returning centers in 2023-24. Sources tell Auburn Live the Tigers’ staff has center prospects they have been “keeping warm” just in case Broome were to stay in the draft, but Broome was expected to be an integral part of next year’s roster. We’ll see how it plays out.
The deadline to withdraw from the NBA Draft and maintain college eligibility is May 31. The draft is June 22.
What does Tyrin Lawrence’s performance mean? Status with Auburn?
Sources have told Auburn Live previously that the hope was Lawrence would have already been publicly committed following Lawrence’s visit to campus on April 29. However, that hasn’t happened. Instead, Lawrence avoided a commitment in preparation for the G League Elite Camp. The delay presented schools like Memphis, Georgia and even Vanderbilt, additional opportunities to try and sway Lawrence’s decision. Heading into the combine, sources continued to relay to Auburn Live that Auburn was in “good position” as it pertains to Lawrence’s recruitment.
If Lawrence had earned an invite to the NBA Draft Combine, that certainly would have muddied the waters further. Lawrence has until May 31 to withdraw his name from the draft and retain his eligibility. Now, we await Lawrence’s decision.
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