Johni Broome’s stardom has only grown this season. He’s been a rock for Auburn all year—powering through defenders in the paint, grabbing boards like his life depends on it, and stacking double-doubles like they’re routine. And now? He’s helped push the Tigers into their second-ever Final Four. At 22, Broome’s become one of the most reliable big men in the program, and he’s doing it all with a quiet intensity that never really shouts for attention—until you take a closer look.

Watch him walk off the court after another 20-and-12 night, sweat still clinging to his jersey, and you might catch a glimpse of something behind his right ear. It’s not a headband or a flashy earring. It’s ink. Black letters running down the side of his neck in a vertical fashion—bold, sharp, and, at first glance, confusing.

“LOSER”. Yeah, that’s what it reads. But hold on. There’s more to it.

It’s easy to miss, especially if you’re not looking for it. But up close, there’s a twist: the “S” in “LOSER” has been overwritten with a red “V.” So when you stare at it long enough, a second word begins to pop. LOVER.

It’s the kind of tattoo that makes people ask questions. Fans have speculated about its meaning all season long, but Broome? He’s kept quiet. No public explanation. No social media deep dives. Just the tattoo and the game. But that ink feels like it says a lot, without him having to say anything.

And it’s not just some random design. The tattoo mirrors a scene from the 2017 horror movie It. In the film, Eddie Kaspbrak gets “LOSER” scrawled on his arm cast by Greta. Later, he grabs a red marker and turns the “S” into a “V,” changing it to “LOVER.” It was a small, defiant act of reclamation. A message, maybe, about refusing to accept someone else’s label. While Broome hasn’t confirmed that’s where it came from, the connection’s hard to ignore.

Maybe he’s embracing that symbolism. Maybe he’s like Eddie—a kid who didn’t look the part, who got pushed to the margins, who decided to flip the script and own his identity. Because for Broome, the climb wasn’t clean or easy. “I’ve been kind of overlooked my whole life,” he said. “Still have a chip on my shoulder. It does add a little extra fire.”

His father, John, once expected him to follow in the family tradition—football. And to be a defensive end, just like dad, his brother, and cousin. But Johni had a growth spurt and a different frame. “He wasn’t looking like a 280-pound defensive end,” his father joked. “He was shaped like a basketball player.”

The Broomes didn’t waste time. John began training Johni to play the post, grinding through late-night sessions together, working on jump hooks, drop steps, and turnarounds. But it didn’t translate immediately. When Johni finally made Plant City’s varsity team as a sophomore, he barely played. The team was stacked with veterans, and when games got tight, he stayed on the bench.

Still, he worked. Quietly, endlessly. His dad sat in the bleachers night after night, confused why the kid he saw dominate practice couldn’t crack the rotation. “He was killing the starter,” John recalled. “The starter couldn’t guard him.” The work ethic was there. The skill was building. But recognition? Not so much.

So the family made a move—an hour-long commute to Tampa Catholic for a fresh start. Even there, he wasn’t immediately on the radar. The coach hadn’t even heard of him. But Johni made himself known. He averaged 15.5 points and 10.5 rebounds as a junior and became Hillsborough County Player of the Year as a senior. Still, college interest stayed lukewarm. He was the 490th-ranked player in his class. Mid-major programs hesitated and called him too slender or not athletic enough. Only then-Morehead State coach Preston Spradlin took a chance. “He saw something in me,” Broome said.

Two years later, Broome transferred to Auburn—and flourished, receiving his flowers. He’s now the only player in NCAA Division I history with 2,500 points, 1,500 rebounds, and 400 blocks. He led the Tigers with 25 points and 14 boards in their Elite Eight win over Michigan State, even after taking a hard fall that briefly shook the arena. His journey? As improbable as it has been inspiring. “My journey has been amazing. It’s been a long, fun ride.”

Even Auburn head coach Bruce Pearl admits Broome didn’t fit the mold of what people thought would work. “He wasn’t fast enough, quick enough, didn’t jump high enough. Game wouldn’t translate. Lack of athleticism,” Pearl said. “But when you get a guy that’s been overlooked, he’s more appreciative, more grateful. And he works. He’s always been second-guessed.”

Whatever the reason, that little tattoo—barely visible from the stands—has become part of Broome’s story. It’s a small detail, but it says a lot. And just when it seemed like his season couldn’t get any bigger, Johni Broome received massive news before the Final Four.

Johni Broome Adds Another Honor as Auburn Eyes First-Ever Title Shot

The Auburn Tigers are one win away from playing for a national championship, and Johni Broome is still stacking up awards along the way. Facing off against the Florida Gators in a high-stakes Final Four matchup, it’s the Tigers’ second trip to this stage in school history. Their last appearance came in 2019, when they suffered a crushing loss to Virginia in the closing seconds. Now, five years later, they’re back—with one of the best big men in college basketball leading the charge.

Broome, Auburn’s 6-foot-10 senior forward, just won the 2025 Karl Malone Power Forward of the Year Award. The honor goes to the top power forward in college hoops, and Broome earned it after beating out other top names like Michigan’s Danny Wolf, Texas Tech’s JT Toppin, Villanova’s Eric Dixon, and Yaxel Lendeborg, formerly of UAB.

The award adds to an already loaded list of honors. Broome is a consensus All-American, the SEC Player of the Year, and The Sporting News Player of the Year. And he’s backed it up with his play.

In 35 games this season, Broome has averaged 18.7 points, 10.9 rebounds, and 2.1 blocks. He’s a double-double machine and a defensive anchor for Auburn. In the Sweet 16, he dominated Michigan with 22 points and 16 rebounds. Then, in the Elite Eight, he dropped 25 and 14 against Michigan State.

Even a scare last Sunday couldn’t slow him down. Broome briefly left the game against Michigan State after hyperextending his elbow. But he returned and practiced on Thursday without issue. Florida, playing in their sixth Final Four, brings a lot of experience and size. But Auburn has the edge in momentum—and in the paint—with Broome. The Tigers entered the game as slight 2.5-point underdogs, but with Broome healthy and hungry, they must not be feeling like underdogs at all. The game already has everyone hooked with its back-and-forth play. 

The Tigers have never won a national championship game. The path to that could become easier in just minutes.