Auburn standout center Johni Broome left Tuesday night's game against Georgia State early in the first half after injuring his right shoulder. The incident occurred as Broome was battling for a defensive rebound, causing him to immediately grab his right shoulder and head straight to the locker room for evaluation by team doctors. He exited the game just 2:17 into the match, which ended in a 100-59 victory for the No. 2-ranked Tigers, improving their record to 10-1.
Broome later returned to the Auburn bench during the first half with an ice pack on his right shoulder. The 6-foot-10 senior had contributed two points and a blocked shot before leaving the game due to the injury.
Auburn head coach Bruce Pearl provided insight on the situation, mentioning that Broome's right shoulder had experienced a similar issue in the past. Pearl indicated that an MRI would be conducted to further assess the injury and determine the extent of the damage. While Pearl expressed doubt about Broome's availability for the upcoming game against No. 16 Purdue, he did not entirely rule out the possibility of Broome playing.
Broome had previously injured the same shoulder during a preseason exhibition in 2023 but managed to play through the regular season with the aid of a protective sleeve. Despite the setback, Pearl remained hopeful about Broome's recovery, emphasizing the player's prior experience with such injuries.
Broome's absence would likely lead to senior forward Chaney Johnson stepping into the starting lineup as a replacement. Johnson showcased his capabilities by scoring a career-high 26 points and securing eight rebounds in the recent victory over Georgia State. Pearl acknowledged Johnson's potential as a starter and acknowledged the impact of potentially losing one of the top players in college basketball.
Broome had been performing exceptionally well this season, averaging 19.7 points and a Division I-leading 12.7 rebounds per game. His notable performance included a 21-point, 20-rebound game against Ohio State last Saturday. The team awaits further evaluation to determine Broome's availability for future games.
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