It’s a fair question—who’s the best hooper in Auburn’s history? Most would throw Charles Barkley’s name out there without hesitation. But let’s not forget Chuck Person, Auburn’s all-time leading scorer with 2,311 points, or Mike Mitchell, who dominated the SEC with a career average of 20.4 points and 9.6 rebounds. These legends left their mark, no doubt. But now, there’s a new name making waves—so much so that even Barkley himself is taking notice.

That name? Johni Broome. He may not be on pace to shatter the records set by Person, Mitchell, or even Barkley. But what he does have is the chance to do something no Auburn player has ever done—win the school’s first NCAA Tournament. And if that’s not enough, he’s already got Sir Charles watching closely.

During Auburn’s recent showdown with Ole Miss, Barkley hopped on commentary with Karl Ravech and Jimmy Dykes. When asked what’s made Broome such a force, Chuck kept it simple: “Well, number one, work ethic.” He didn’t stop there, adding, “And also the coach has to challenge you. He’s not just a post-up player anymore.”

Barkley then doubled down on how Auburn’s head coach has transformed the 22-year-old star. “Bruce [Pearl] has done a fabulous job of taking him like 12 to 15 feet because the last couple of years he was basically a post-up guy. He’s still a post-up, but it’s farther away from the basket, which helps everybody, including himself.”

And in that very game, Broome backed up Charles Barkley’s every word. Dropping 24 points, 9 rebounds, and 4 assists, he was unstoppable. But the biggest moment? His 24-point performance pushed him past 2,500 career points. But how did Auburn’s superstar dominate in the game?

Charles Barkley watches Broome’s dominance

Winning by 30 points is always a team effort, but some performances stand out more than others. That was the case for Auburn’s dominant 106-76 victory over Ole Miss, where Johni Broome led the charge. Not only did he put up big numbers, but he also kept his teammates involved, making sure the Tigers’ offense clicked on all levels. That all-around impact is exactly why he’s in the running for National Player of the Year.

When asked about his latest milestone, Broome didn’t take all the credit. “All glory to God, he blessed me to be able to make an impact since my freshman year,” he said. “He has given me the platform that I have now. He’s also kept me healthy enough to achieve that goal.”

Of course, even the best big men need a strong supporting cast, and Dylan Cardwell has been that for Broome. Defenses can’t just double-team Broome without consequences—leave Cardwell open, and it’s an easy two points. That chemistry has made Auburn’s frontcourt a nightmare for opponents.

Then, there’s Chaney Johnson, who was on fire in the second half. At the 17:38 mark of the second half, he went on a personal 7-0 run, capped off by a bucket from a Broome assist.

“All glory to God and without Him I would not be the player I am today,” Johnson said. He finished with 13 points and nine boards, proving once again that Auburn is more than just one star.

And if they want a real shot at a championship, that depth will be key.