ESPN post-lottery mock draft: Broome, Pettiford projected in second round
Auburn would love to see Johni Broome selected highly in the NBA Draft. But the program will be biting its nails over the pro prospects of its freshman point guard.
A day after the NBA Draft lottery order has been set, with the Dallas Mavericks securing the No. 1 overall pick despite entering the lottery with a 1.8% chance to do so, ESPN’s Jonathan Givony has both Broome and Tahaad Pettiford projected as second-round picks. They’re separated by only two spots, with Broome going No. 37 overall to the Pistons, and Pettiford landing with the Raptors at No. 39.
Both players have received a bit of late-first-round buzz after standout 2024-25 seasons. Broome, arguably the best player in Auburn history after his three-year run with the program ended with unanimous All-American and some national player of the year honors, certainly upgraded his draft stock this past season as the best big man in the country. Measuring in at 6-foot-9 at this week’s NBA Combine, Broome averaged 18.6 points and 10.8 rebounds per game, plus 2.9 assists and 2.1 blocks.
Pettiford, on the other hand, will soon begin weigh his draft stock against a return to Auburn next season for his sophomore campaign. The former 5-star recruit did not enter the portal and made it clear if he returns to college, it will be with the Tigers. Pettiford told Givony last week before the combine that if he does not feel he has a guaranteed contract in hand — which would technically mean a first-round expectation — he will return to Auburn.
The NBA Combine began Sunday in Chicago. Pettiford measured at 6 feet and 169 pounds
Bruce Pearl mentioned last month that Auburn would have a better idea of the teams potentially in the market for a player like Pettiford after the draft lottery was set, which happened Monday night.
“The lottery will come out before the combine, so we’ll know who’s drafting 20 through 30,” Pearl said last month. “We’ll have an idea going into Chicago, where Tahaad will play in the combine, to see who’s drafting 20 through 30 — if there’s some interest for a smaller point guard among those ball clubs.”
Pettiford, who averaged 11.6 points per game as a freshman last season, is hoped to be a centerpiece of Auburn’s new-look lineup in 2025-26. If he comes back, he will be the only returning scholarship player from last season’s Final Four team.
