​LAS VEGAS — Philadelphia 76ers center Johni Broome, the No. 35 pick in the 2025 draft, didn’t enjoy the rookie season he hoped for. His first year in the NBA was marred by a meniscus tear that required surgery, limiting him to 11 games and leaving him to average just 0.9 points and 1.5 rebounds per game. Yet after a standout performance in Thursday’s summer league game against the Detroit Pistons, where he posted 19 points and 13 rebounds, Broome is determined to put that difficult rookie campaign behind him and focus on making an impact in Philadelphia this coming season.
“I know my first season wasn’t the best,” Broome acknowledged after the summer league win. “I can see that myself. That’s why I’ve put in a lot of work to have a better second year. Obviously, I want to make a better impression. I’ve got more to do, more to prove. So I just want to keep proving myself every day for Philly and the organization.”
For Broome, nothing matters more than making an impact and helping a team win. He’s determined to be a crucial part of a successful Philadelphia club, and that drive will push him through the challenges of a new season. “There is nothing more important to me than being impactful and helping a team win,” he said. “I want to be part of a winning team in Philadelphia, and that’s what will motivate me heading into year two in the league.”
Self-motivation is a constant for Broome. “I’m self-motivated,” he stated succinctly. “I don’t need extra things to motivate me. That fuel stays with me every time I’m on the court and in the workouts this offseason, so I’m continuing to work on it.”
The early signs in Las Vegas have been encouraging. Broome looked dominant in the paint, presenting a physical challenge for defenders and contributing in multiple facets to help Philadelphia secure the win. He shot 9-for-18 from the floor, and his performance suggested he can have a meaningful influence on the game even as he builds back his conditioning and confidence after the injury setback.
Reflecting on his post-injury readiness, Broome said, “It felt great. That was my first real game since the injury, so I was a little fatigued. But there has been a lot of hard work this offseason, and I felt prepared for this first game. I did feel a touch of fatigue early on, but I expect that to improve as these games continue.”
Looking ahead, Broome’s focus remains clear: keep progressing and maintain momentum as Philadelphia prepares to face the Indiana Pacers in Las Vegas on Saturday. The 76ers will be watching closely as he translates his summer-league success into a productive regular-season role, hoping his rookie hardship becomes a distant memory and that his second year yields the sustained impact he’s vowed to deliver for the organization.