When Johni Broome went down with a sprained ankle in Auburn’s victory over South Carolina, the spotlight quickly shifted to Chaney Johnson. Stepping into Broome’s starting spot, the former Thompson High and Alabama-Huntsville star didn’t just fill in—he thrived. Against Mississippi State, Johnson lit it up with 17 points and grabbed 8 rebounds, showing that he was ready for the big stage.
Then came the Georgia game, and Auburn’s frontcourt turned into a team effort. Enter Ja’Heim Hudson, who logged a season-high 18 minutes in the 70-68 win. His box score wasn’t eye-popping—five points, three rebounds, and two steals—but his impact was undeniable. Auburn’s head coach, Bruce Pearl, was quick to praise his defensive presence. “We don’t win that game without Ja’Heim Hudson,” Pearl said. “He played incredible defense and kept Georgia’s bigs off the boards. That’s what being a team is all about.”
Hudson’s path to this role wasn’t simple. After transferring from SMU, he wasn’t expected to make a major impact right away. But a reported incident on Auburn’s flight to Houston sidelined him, and his minutes were limited early in the season. Despite playing just 15 minutes in the opener, he stayed ready. When Broome went down, Hudson stepped up.
With Broome’s status uncertain, Hudson’s role has become more important than ever. It’s not always glamorous, but his contributions in filling the frontcourt gap are critical. In SEC play, Auburn has faced teams with towering, physical frontlines, and Hudson’s defense has been a key part of keeping the Tigers competitive. Against Georgia, Auburn out-rebounded their opponent, an area where they’ve struggled at times.
As Auburn looks ahead to their matchup with Tennessee, competing on the boards and matching the Vols’ intensity will be crucial. Tennessee ranks among the nation’s best in offensive rebounds and blocking shots, making Hudson’s efforts even more vital.
Leave a Reply