Rockets Mock Draft Links Houston to Johni Broome

At Toyota Center in Houston, draft talk is already heating up around the Rockets after another national mock tied the club to a familiar second-round name. CBS Sports projected Houston to select Auburn forward-center Johni Broome, a prospect Rockets followers have seen connected to the team before.

The pairing matters because Houston has built its roster around youth, defense, and frontcourt versatility. A second-round pick does not carry the same weight as a lottery selection, but it can still add depth, competition, and a low-cost developmental piece to Ime Udoka's rotation plans.

Rockets mock draft puts Johni Broome back in the mix

According to the mock draft highlighted by Sports Illustrated, CBS Sports slotted Broome to the Rockets in the second round. Broome spent his college career developing into one of the tougher interior players in the country, known for rebounding, rim protection, and productive paint scoring.

That profile lines up with several things Houston already values. The Rockets have leaned into physical defending, controlling the glass, and getting reliable minutes from players who do not need the offense built around them. A prospect like Broome would fit that mold on paper, especially if the front office wants another big body to develop behind the current core.

Why the fit makes sense for Houston's roster build

Second-round projections can shift fast, so this is more snapshot than prediction. Still, the Rockets mock draft chatter around Broome keeps resurfacing because his game is easy to picture on a team that asks its frontcourt players to defend hard and finish inside.

Houston already has young talent across the roster, which gives the team flexibility on draft night. The front office can chase upside, fill a depth need, or stash a prospect for later development. Broome's age and college production may appeal if the Rockets prefer a more polished player who can compete early in camp rather than a longer-term project.

No pick is locked in at this stage, and mock drafts often reflect team tendencies as much as inside information. Still, Broome remains a name tied to Houston as draft boards continue to take shape ahead of the NBA draft.

The next concrete step will come when final workouts, interviews, and trade conversations sharpen the Rockets' board closer to draft night. If Broome stays attached to Houston through that process, this second-round link will keep gaining traction.

This article is a summary of reporting by Sports Illustrated. Read the full story here.