After an unexpected setback, Johni Broome aims ‘to keep proving myself’ at Summer League

LAS VEGAS — One thought popped into Johni Broome’s head upon receiving a slick bounce pass in the lane from Labaron Philon Jr.

“I see two people that [weren’t] on my team,” the 76ers’ big man recalled. “And I just think, ‘Bodies! Bodies! Bodies!’”

No matter. Broome elevated to dunk the ball over both defenders, embodying his Summer League so far. He has compiled a double-double in both of the Sixers’ games in Las Vegas, the types of forceful performances his team wants to see from a second-year player. More impressive is that those efforts have come in his first legitimate game-like action since late-February knee surgery, which essentially ended a rookie season that never got off the ground.

“My first season wasn’t the best,” Broome said Thursday. “I can see that myself. That’s why I put in a lot of work to have a better second year. Obviously, I want to make a better impression and I’ve got more to do. I just want to keep proving myself each and every day, for Philly.”

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Broome was the Sixers’ second-round pick last summer, after blossoming into an All-American for a college basketball powerhouse Auburn. The 23-year-old only played in 11 NBA regular-season games as a rookie, but did excel in stints with the G League’s Delaware Blue Coats. Less than a month after a 50-point, 17-rebound outburst with Delaware in January, Broome tore his meniscus in what he described as his first significant injury.

He called his early surgery recovery “very smooth” and “perfect,” before an unexpected setback when swelling increased as he attempted to up his workload. By the end of the Sixers’ season, though, Broome had progressed to full-contact pregame workouts and off-day scrimmaging. He played garbage time in two playoff games against the New York Knicks. Broome then spent June working out with young teammates at the Sixers’ facility, often returning at night for a second session.

Leading into Summer League, coach T.J. DiLeo set goals for Broome. Shoot three-pointers (he is a shaky 2-of-12 through two games in Las Vegas). Defend with physicality and proper positioning. Take care of the ball and “control the game” as a sound decision-maker. Those winning traits could help Broome make up for his limited athleticism, which the most skeptical could say make him a “tweener” who is too good for the G League but not quite NBA-caliber.

“We should be able to play through him a little bit,” DiLeo said of Broome.

Broome acknowledged feeling “a little fatigued” after his first game Thursday, yet still totaled 19 points and 13 rebounds in a Sixers 101-93 victory over the Detroit Pistons.

He followed ballhandlers downhill to get in range to grab eight offensive rebounds and go back up for putbacks. He established immediate chemistry with 2026 first-round pick Philon, which has flowed from the court to their NBA 2K video game battles. After Thursday’s win, Broome and Philon both stood at the back of the media scrum to playfully ask each other a question.

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Broome carried his production over to Saturday, when he amassed 23 points, 11 rebounds, and three assists in a 100-93 overtime win over the Indiana Pacers.

When Broome followed his own miss just before halftime, several members of the Sixers’ bench flexed and hollered in celebration. After the break, Broome hit a baseline jumper and a three-pointer to ignite his team’s dominant third quarter. Later, the Sixers went to Broome out of a timeout for an inside finish, an attempt to squash the Pacers’ rally. In overtime, Broome collected the go-ahead putback to help seal the Sixers’ victory.

It was another step in Broome’s quest to prove he is healthy — and still has NBA potential.

“He’s hopefully past what his injury was,” DiLeo said, “and better than what he was before.”