Advertisement

Projecting Auburn's rotation with the return of Johni Broome and Jaylin Williams

With the return of Johni Brooms and Jaylin Williams, Auburn is once again set to be one of the top teams in the SEC and is poised for another trip to the NCAA Tournament.

Both Broome and Williams decided to test the NBA draft process and despite Broome putting on a show at the NBA Combine, he decided to return for a second season on the Plains.

The duo will give Auburn one of the most experienced frontcourt tandems in the SEC and with Bruce Pearl once again pulling some talented players from the transfer portal, namely wing Chad Baker-Mazara, Auburn’s roster looks improved from last year’s that went 21-13.

Auburn still has a couple of scholarships it could use but with their roster largely set, here is a look at the rotation ahead of the 2023-24 season.

Point Guard (1)

Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

  1. Aden Holloway
  2. Tre Donaldson

Donaldson had an impressive end to his freshman season and could very well be the starting point guard to open the season. However, Holloway is the No. 2 ranked signee in program history and has the talent to take that starting job away from the more experienced Donaldson.

Holloway is an impressive shooter who could also see time at shooting guard.

Shooting Guard (2)

Michael Berlfein-FIU Athletics

  1. Denver Jones
  2. K.D. Johnson
  3. Lior Berman

Jones was a big get for Auburn out of the transfer portal, he averaged 20.1 points at FIU last season and is a career 35.9% shooter from 3. He and Holloway give Auburn serious shooting from the two guard spots.

Johnson will continue to provide excellent energy off the bench and has the ability to take over games when he gets hot.

Berman seems destined to get a scholarship this season and clearly deserves one after appearing in 25 games last season and coming back for a fifth season.

Wing/Small Forward (3)

(Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)

  1. Chad Baker-Mazara
  2. Chris Moore
  3. Lior Berman

Auburn missed out on several transfer wongs before landing Baker-Mazara and he could be a perfect fit for the Tigers. He comes to Auburn from the JUCO ranks but has spent time at Duquesne and San Diego State. Regardless of where he has played, he has been a lights-out shooter, making 44% of his shots from beyond the arc and 83.5% of his free throws in his career.

Moore may not be the shooter that Baker-Mazara is, but he knows the system and provides great rebounding an defense for the Tigers. They should both see plenty of minutes and Berman can also play some small forward when needed.

Power Forward (4)

(Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

  1. Jaylin Williams
  2. Chaney Johnson
  3. Chris Moore

Williams returning for his fifth season is a massive win for Pearl and the coaching staff. He set career highs in points (11.2), rebounds (4.7), assists (2.2) and steals (35) last season. He was one of the Tiger’s most efficient players and his ability to do nearly anything on the court only increases his value.

Johnson was the Gulf South Conference player of the year at UAH last season and brings even more experience to the 4 spot. He averaged 15.9 points and 6.6 rebounds and can also be a stretch big, he is a career 37.2% shooter from deep. The 6-foot-7, 215-pounder is listed as a guard on the roster and could also spend some time at the 3 in bigger lineups.

Moore has also spent some time at the 4 and could do so in some smaller lineups.

Center (5)

(Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images)

  1. Johni Broome
  2. Dylan Cardwell

Broome was Auburn’s best player last season and was named Second-Team All-SEC after leading the Tigers in points (14.2), rebounds (8.4) and blocks (78). They would have been hard-pressed to replace him this late in the cycle and it would have only added pressure on all the newcomers to come together.

That’s all moot now as he returns as the SEC’s top center due to his offensive and defensive ability. All of the shooting that Auburn has added should help open up the interior of the defense for Broome to attack.

Cardwell also entered the draft process and elected to return. He is poised for another season as an energetic backup center who fires up the crowd with his personality.

Williams has also spent time at center in small-ball lineups and can do so again if Broome or Cardwell are in foul trouble or injured.

More Basketball