​LAS VEGAS — As Philadelphia 76ers second-year forward-center Johni Broome readies himself to move past a challenging rookie season in which he appeared in only 11 games, the No. 35 pick of the 2025 NBA draft is viewing the Summer League as a springboard to elevate his game. The Auburn product is signaling his intent to become more of an all-around contributor for the Sixers, and his confident start in Las Vegas certainly set the tone.
In Thursday’s win over the Detroit Pistons, Broome posted a strong performance with 19 points and 13 rebounds. He shot 9-for-18 from the floor and 1-for-5 from beyond the arc, showing flashes of the versatility Philadelphia hopes to cultivate. The Sixers’ summer league coach, TJ DiLeo, has outlined concrete plans for Broome’s development this summer, and Thursday’s showing served as a positive first step in those aims.
“I want him to shoot threes,” DiLeo said, emphasizing that Broome has been putting in the work to add that dimension to his game. “I want him to shoot threes. It’s going to be a part of his repertoire.” Beyond his shooting, DiLeo stressed that Broome must focus on ball security and game management. The goal is for him to run the show at times, to be a reliable decision-maker, and to use his physicality and decision-making to influence the action on both ends of the floor. DiLeo also highlighted the importance of positionally sound defense, encouraging Broome to be ahead of a play’s development. “He has to be in spots early. His positional defending has to be great. He has to think a step ahead on that end of the floor,” the coach noted.
A defining aspect of Broome’s potential impact is his rebounding, and Thursday’s box score reinforced that strength. Of his 13 boards, five came on the offensive glass, underscoring his ability to provide extra possessions for his team. If he can sustain that level of hustle and rebounding prowess, the Sixers will be pleased with the return on investment as he continues to mature. DiLeo was quick to praise Broome’s instincts, citing how he tracks shots and anticipates where the ball will land off the rim. “His instincts are unbelievable,” DiLeo said. “Every shot he’s following, guards are downhill. He’s following it. He knows where the ball is coming off the rim. He does his work early. It’s a ton of value in that.”
DiLeo also identified areas for improvement in the coming games. He believes Broome can and should convert more kick-out passes into productive offense, a skill that would elevate his value in Philadelphia’s half-court sets. “He’s very capable of it, and just possession values. Value the possessions in this league, and if you’ve got a guy that can do that, that’s a skill you have,” the coach added.
Historically, Broome’s collegiate résumé included an impressive 9.5 rebounds per game over his time at Auburn, a testament to his tenacity and knack for snagging boards. If he can translate that rebounding acumen to an elevated pace and higher efficiency in the pros, it could unlock a more prominent role for him within the Sixers’ rotation. His size, strength, and willingness to mix it up on the interior position him as a potential rotational piece who can contribute in multiple ways—especially if he continues to sharpen his outside shot and his decision-making under pressure.
The summer league is a crucial proving ground for Broome. It’s a setting where he can refine his shooting stroke, improve his ball-handling and playmaking under game-like pressure, and demonstrate the consistency and desire to perform at a high level on a nightly basis. The early returns—the 19-point, 13-rebound performance and the positive feedback from DiLeo—provide a solid foundation for what could be a significant leap forward in his development.
As Broome embraces the opportunity in Las Vegas, the expectations are clear: he should expand his shooting range, protect the ball, facilitate offense when appropriate, defend with force and discipline, and continue attacking the glass with vigor. If he follows through on these directives, he could become a reliable, versatile contributor for Philadelphia, capable of filling a productive role on the second unit and perhaps beyond as he continues to grow into his own as a professional player.
This report originally appeared on Sixers Wire with the headline noting the summer league coach’s guidance for Johni Broome to pursue better performance and expanded skill set in the 2025-26 season.