Auburn’s Bruce Pearl says Johni Broome is the National Player of the Year. So far.

By ADAM ZAGORIA

Auburn senior forward Johni Broome might be the best player on the best college basketball team in the nation right now.

And head coach Bruce Pearl says he should be in the mix for National Player of the Year.

The 6-foot-10 senior forward was named the Maui Invitational tournament MVP after recording a second straight double-double by halftime, finishing with 21 points, 16 rebounds, six assists and four blocked shots as No. 4 Auburn overpowered Memphis to win the Maui Invitational championship game 90-76 Wednesday at Lahaina Civic Center.

“I’ve always believed that the best player on the best team should be the MVP,” Pearl told ESPN’s Jay Bilas and Dan Shulman.

The best team in the country? Looking like @AuburnMBB and the new favorite for @NaismithTrophy is Johni Broome. @MauiInv champs! @MarchMadnessMBB pic.twitter.com/hp6HcHE2Nn

— Andy Katz (@TheAndyKatz) November 28, 2024

“And if our team continues to play well, he is absolutely in the conversation for Player of the Year. He effects the game on both ends. He’s in the best shape of his life, and so he’s able to play way more minutes, and we don’t take a ton of possessions off.

Broome dominated in Maui, playing 101 minutes in fewer than 48 hours, registering three triple-doubles, averaging 21.7 points, 15 rebounds, 4.3 assists and three blocks per tournament game.

“I trust the guys around me,” Broome said. “I don’t mind having 10 assists. If they want to keep double teaming me, that’s fine.”

He added: “We played tremendous defense and tremendous basketball against great opponents. Our word this year was sacrifice, taking care of your body, not being up too late, getting to things on time. All those things help win championships.  These last two days, we’ve shown how committed we are to each other because we see how good we can be.”

Auburn (7-0) is ranked No. 1 on KenPom and owns wins at No. 4 Houston, over No. 5 Iowa State on a neutral floor and now over Memphis in the Maui championship game.

With No. 2 UConn losing twice and No. 3 Gonzaga falling to West Virginia, Auburn should move up to at least No. 2 on Monday.

Photo: Andy Katz

Follow Adam Zagoria on Twitter

Follow ZAGSBLOGHoops on Instagram

And Like ZAGS on Facebook