Knicks Predicted to Land Award-Winning 18-Point-Per-Game Star

The New York Knicks did not have a first-round pick in the 2025 NBA draft as the franchise looks to add value in the second round. New York could soon have good news as there is plenty of talented players remaining heading into the second night of the draft.

The Knicks hold the No. 50 overall pick in the second round, not a selection that historically offers much star power. New York is hoping this year the franchise can be the exception, even though the rookie faces an uphill battle to become part of the Knicks rotation in 2025-26.

One name to keep an eye on is Auburn star Johni Broome. The Tigers big man has consistently been one of the best players in college basketball.

Broome will enter the NBA with an incredible resume including being an All-American, SEC Player of the Year and three-time All-SEC player among other honors. The Auburn star averaged a double-double during the 2024-25 season.

Broome posted 18.6 points, 10.8 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 2.1 blocks per game as the star stuffed the stat sheet during his 36 appearances.

Here is why the Knicks are being floated as Broome’s next potential home.

The Knicks Are Predicted to Land Auburn Star Johni Broome With the No. 50 Pick in Latest NBA Mock Draft

Following the first round, The Athletic’s Sam Vecenie projected every pick in the second round. Vecenie’s latest NBA mock draft has Broome falling to the Knicks at No. 50, offering an amazing value for New York.

“Broome is coming off a terrific fifth season where he was the runner-up for national player of the year because of his physicality and ability to establish position on the interior,” Vecenie detailed in a June 26, 2025, story titled, “NBA Round 2 mock draft: When will Kam Jones, Tyrese Proctor be selected?” “He also has the potential to shoot it and is sharp positionally on defense. However, he’s a bit slow and is undersized in a way that concerns teams.”

Johni Broome Would Give the Knicks Some Added Defensive Intensity

Yahoo Sports’ Kevin O’Connor has Broome as his No. 47 player on his big board comparing the Auburn star to Jaylin Williams. The draft analyst highlights Broome’s effort, shot blocking and defensive abilities as some of the big man’s strengths.

“Broome is a super senior who brings a ready-made game as an interior finisher with a passing feel and tone-setting defense,” O’Connor detailed in his pre-draft profile of Broome. “But his shaky jumper hasn’t progressed as much as NBA teams would hope.

“… Sets the tone for his team showing emotion after big plays. He leads with his effort by running the floor hard, and hustling and communicating on defense. In the Elite 8, he showed his toughness after suffering an elbow injury by returning to the floor then grabbing one-armed rebounds.”

The Knicks are at the start of a critical NBA offseason with way more on the line than what the front office decides to do with a late second-round pick. New York is still in search of a head coach after abruptly firing Tom Thibodeau despite the Knicks advancing to the Eastern Conference Finals.