Auburn center Johni Broome is testing the NBA Draft waters but hasn’t ruled out a return to the Tigers for the 2023-24 season.

Broome declared this summer’s NBA Draft on Tuesday evening, becoming the second player from this past season’s Auburn team to enter the draft, joining starting point guard Wendell Green Jr. While Green’s announcement had a sense of finality to it, Broome’s was much more open-ended, as he stated plans to maintain his eligibility and thus leave open a path to a possible return next season.

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“First off, I would like to thank God for putting me in this position, as I wouldn’t be where I am today without Him,” Broome wrote in a graphic he posted to social media. “I would also like to thank my family, friends, teammates and coaches for all your support throughout my career so far. It’s been an honor to put on an Auburn uniform each and every game, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything, nor be in this position today without everyone’s love and believe in me as a player.

“After discussions with my family and staff at Auburn, and as I look toward the future and the next step in my career, I have made the decision to enter my name into the 2023 NBA Draft, while retaining my eligibility. I look forward to obtaining valuable feedback that will assist me in my lifelong goal o playing in the NBA, and I appreciate all your support along this journey.”

Broome isn’t the first Auburn player to test the NBA Draft waters in recent years. Allen Flanigan declared for the draft each of the last two summers, while backup center Dylan Cardwell also declared for the draft last summer. Both went into the process looking for evaluations and feedback from NBA teams before ultimately returning to Auburn.

Underclassmen have until 11:59 p.m. on May 31 to withdraw from the draft and retain their eligibility.

Broome’s decision to declare for this year’s draft comes after an impressive first season in the SEC. The 6-foot-10, 235-pounder transferred to Auburn last summer after starting his career at Morehead State, where he was the OVC Defensive Player of the Year during the 2021-22 campaign. Broome brought that defensive prowess and more to the Tigers, averaging a team-high 14.2 points and 8.4 rebounds per game while earning second-team All-SEC honors. Broome recorded 10 double-doubles on the year, including nine in SEC play.

Tom Green is an Auburn beat reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @Tomas_Verde.