Yardbarker
Yardbarker
x
NBA Mock Draft Has Pistons Picking Up Player With Viral Combine Moment
Apr 5, 2025; San Antonio, TX, USA; Auburn Tigers forward Johni Broome (4) holds the ball against the Florida Gators during the second half in the semifinals of the men's Final Four of the 2025 NCAA Tournament at the Alamodome. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

When the 2025 NBA Draft rolls around, the Detroit Pistons are going to be waiting a while before they go on the clock. Barring a trade into the first round, Trajan Langdon’s front office won’t be making a pick until day two in the second round.

Following the 2025 NBA Draft Lottery, ESPN released a mock draft, which featured the Pistons picking up the Auburn center, Johni Broome . Not long after Broome was predicted to land with Detroit in the second round, the 22-year-old center went viral after his vertical jump at the NBA Draft Combine.

The center out of Auburn ended up finishing with a vertical leap of 24.5 inches, according to Yahoo Sports.

While it’s not the best look, combine testing doesn’t make or break a prospect’s chances of getting drafted. At the end of the day, what Broome put on tape in the NCAA will matter the most to front offices.

Broome has plenty of tape after wrapping up his fifth season with the Tigers. This past season, Broome averaged 30 minutes of playing time in 36 games. He posted averages of 19 points, 11 rebounds, three assists, and two blocks. Broome made 51 percent of his shots from the field.

No matter who the Pistons grab in round two, that player is far from a lock to land notable playing time in 2025-2026. As the Pistons have entered the Eastern Conference’s playoff spotlight, the Pistons are tightening up the rotation, making it more difficult for developmental prospects to gain playing time.

Broome could see some notable playing time in the NBA G League for his rookie effort.

More Pistons on SI


This article first appeared on Detroit Pistons on SI and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads:

TODAY'S BEST

Atlanta Hawks Urged To Bring Back Former NBA 1st-Round Pick
NBA

Atlanta Hawks Urged To Bring Back Former NBA 1st-Round Pick

Cam Reddish spent part of the 2024-25 season playing for the Los Angeles Lakers. He had averages of 3.2 points, 2.0 rebounds and 1.0 steals per contest while shooting 40.4% from the field and 27.7% from the three-point range in 33 games. On July 24, Reddish still remains a free agent who is available to sign with any team in the league. Recently, many fans on social media urged to the Atlanta Hawks to bring back Reddish (h/t Hawks Lead). He was the 10th pick in the 2019 NBA Draft (by the Hawks) out of Duke. @BigGerm478: "BEEN SAYING THIS" @_VictorRashad_: "lol I’ll rt this one . We need him to come back and accept his role ! He’d be an amazing fit" @getoffmypxge: "Let’s come home cam" @mdotMika: "I always wanted him back since he left… showed who he can be in the 2021 playoff stimt" @tjhook47: "Bring Cam back to the A, Hawks!" @natefrazi3r: "dream offseason would be complete" @Chicosnametag: "We lost caris levert he def fits" Reddish played part of three seasons for the Hawks. He had averages of 11.1 points, 3.4 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 1.1 steals per contest while shooting 38.5% from the field and 32.9% from the three-point range in 118 games (62 starts). The 25-year-old has also spent time with the Portland Trail Blazers and New York Knicks over six seasons. Via @ohokvontae: "I still can’t believe Cam Reddish didn’t at least become a high floor rotation player in the league. I’ll never understand how that happens."

All signs point to Yankees moving on from Anthony Volpe
MLB

All signs point to Yankees moving on from Anthony Volpe

With the trade for Ryan McMahon now complete, it would seem New York Yankees’ general manager Brian Cashman has fulfilled one of his three priorities. He can now cross third base off the list, which leaves the rotation and bullpen as his remaining priorities. However, according to one Yankees writer, Cashman might not be done with the infield. Chris Kirschner of The Athletic reported this after the McMahon trade: “The Yankees may not be done adding to their infield. A team source said the Yankees are interested in adding a right-handed hitter who could play the infield.” Kirschner adds that the Yankees have had interest in Willi Castro and Amed Rosario. But the question now is, how would another player fit in the Yankees’ infield? Needless to say, Paul Goldschmidt and Jazz Chisholm Jr. aren’t going anywhere, and McMahon is just getting there. That leaves the low-hanging fruit. Anthony Volpe has been at the center of controversy all this season. His 13 errors, many of which had come at make-or-break moments, amount to the second-highest total in the game. In addition, his bat has not been able to compensate, hitting .214/.286/.407 with 14 home runs. There was always a lot to like about Volpe. He won a Gold Glove in his rookie year, his power has always been promising and his speed is nothing to scoff at. Unfortunately, his glove has become a liability and his speed has also produced very few results. Volpe has swiped just 10 bags in 17 attempts. His power is the one thing that still has some upside, but it hasn’t been enough to justify a spot in the lineup. Both Castro and Rosario have been far more productive at the plate this season than Volpe. Kirschner doesn’t clarify how serious the Yankees are in their pursuit of another infielder, but that most likely isn’t available information. Having just turned 24, Volpe could still become the type of player that was expected from him as a top prospect. However, his recent performance has weighed heavily on his team’s efforts and it may be buying him a ticket out of the Bronx — or at least a spot on the bench.

Nick Saban responds to speculation about coaching return amid NFL rumors
NFL

Nick Saban responds to speculation about coaching return amid NFL rumors

Shortly after former Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback and current college football analyst Greg McElroy shared that someone "in the know" believes there's a possibility Nick Saban — who retired in January 2024 — might return to coaching, NFL insider Albert Breer suggested that the Dallas Cowboys could be a potential destination for the seven-time national champion. According to Mike Rodak of 247Sports, Saban was asked during a Friday appearance on Fox News if he intends to come out of retirement. "No, I'm really happy with what I'm doing right now," Saban responded. "It's exciting to still be involved in the game. It's exciting for me to work with athletic directors, conference commissioners, people in Congress to preserve the integrity of our game and continue to be able to create opportunities to help young people create value for their future that will help them be successful in their life, which is what we always try to do as a coach." Saban, now working as an ESPN analyst, will be 74 in October. Per Christian Datoc of the Washington Examiner, President Donald Trump could consider having Saban "lead a new commission examining problems arising with the growth of name, image, and likeness (NIL) rights and coinciding changes to the NCAA transfer process." Meanwhile, it's thought that Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones could look to hire a big-name candidate if first-year head coach Brian Schottenheimer fails to impress during the 2025 campaign. Additionally, Fox Sports personality Colin Cowherd recently hinted that Saban could be interested in becoming the head coach of the Cleveland Browns if the team selects Texas quarterback Arch Manning as the first pick in the 2026 draft. "There is no opportunity that I know of right now that would enhance me to go back to coaching," Saban added during Friday's segment. "I enjoy what I'm doing. I did it for 50 years. I loved it. I loved the relationships with the players. I loved the competition. But it's another station of life now. I enjoy what I'm doing right now and want to continue to do it — spend more time with my family, my grandchildren, my children. It's been really, really good." The "right now" portion of Saban's comments attracted the attention of Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio, who was quick to point out he did not say "no for good" regarding a return to coaching. In short, it seems that rumors about Saban's future could hover over the college and pro football communities through at least the rest of the year.

Trade rejection speaks volumes about Red Sox's Jarren Duran intentions
MLB

Trade rejection speaks volumes about Red Sox's Jarren Duran intentions

The Boston Red Sox appear to have no interest in trading outfielder Jarren Duran, at least not in the near future. Trade rumors have swirled around Duran for most of the season, especially after designated hitter Rafael Devers was traded to the Giants. However, Sean McAdam from MassLive reported that the Red Sox may wait until the offseason before moving on from the former All-Star. The decision to wait on Duran is not due to a lack of offers. McAdam also reported that the Padres made a significant offer for Duran involving pitcher Dylan Cease, catching prospect Ethan Salas and another unnamed prospect. That offer was quickly rejected. The Padres have long coveted Duran. McAdam had previously reported that the Padres have been "relentless" in their pursuit of the Red Sox outfielder. The reported trade offer including Salas, the Padres second-best prospect and the 21st-best prospect in baseball per MLB.com, illustrates how serious they are about acquiring Duran. Likewise, the Red Sox's refusal to entertain such an offer, even as a starting point for negotiations, speaks volumes about their interest in moving Duran. The Padres' offer would help solve several problems for the Red Sox in both the present and future. Moving Duran would help clear up the logjam in the outfield, while Cease and Salas would respectively improve the back of their rotation and provide a possible cornerstone behind the plate going forward. Duran is a valuable trade chip as he is under team control through 2028. He has also taken a step back in production from his stellar showing in 2024, posting a respectable .254/.321/.428 batting line in 459 plate appearances entering Friday, with nine homers and 25 doubles while stealing 16 bases. That production would be an upgrade for several teams looking to improve their outfield going forward. The question is whether or not the Red Sox will be realistic in their asking price for Duran. Considering how quickly the Padres' offer was reportedly rejected, that may not be the case.

Customize Your Newsletter

Yardbarker +

Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!