In a powerful tribute to one of its most iconic hometown heroes, Plant City, Florida has officially honored Johni Broome, the former Auburn basketball standout, with a statue and a series of civic recognitions, cementing his legacy in the place where it all began.
The announcement came during a packed hometown ceremony on Saturday, where family, friends, community leaders, and proud fans gathered to celebrate Broome’s meteoric rise from small-town star to Auburn University record-breaker and national college basketball sensation.
The centerpiece of the event: a life-sized bronze statue of Broome in his signature dunk pose, now standing outside the Plant City Recreation & Fitness Center, where he spent countless hours shaping his game and chasing his dream.
“Johni is more than just an incredible athlete,” said Mayor Nathan Kilton. “He’s a role model, a leader, and a symbol of what’s possible when talent meets character and hard work. This statue is not just a tribute to his achievements, but to the hope he brings to this city.”
Broome, who shattered records at Auburn for blocks, rebounds, and double-doubles during his dominant run with the Tigers, has become a household name in the college basketball world. But to Plant City, he’s still “one of ours” — a kid who never forgot his roots, and who always repped his community with pride.
In addition to the statue, Plant City also:
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Declared April 13 as “Johni Broome Day.”
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Named the local gym court “Broome Court.”
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Announced a youth scholarship program in his honor, designed to support student-athletes with dreams of following in his footsteps.
A visibly emotional Broome took the stage, surrounded by childhood coaches and former teammates.
“This means the world to me,” he said. “I’ve been blessed with so many opportunities, but it all started right here in Plant City. This community shaped me, pushed me, and believed in me — even before the big crowds and the bright lights.”
With his future pointing toward the NBA, Broome’s story is still being written — but in Plant City, his legacy is already carved in bronze.
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