LEFTY DRIESELL AWARD INFORMATION

MOREHEAD, Ky. -- Morehead State freshman center Johni Broome has been tabbed a finalist for the CollegeInsider.com Lefty Driesell National Defensive Player of the Year.

A Plant City, Fla., native, the second-year big man was a nearly unanimous choice for OVC Defensive Player of the Year, just the second Eagle to ever earn that prestigious postseason honor.

Broome's defense game changed the way opponents had to think about going into the paint. He blocked a Morehead State record 131 shots, ranking third in the nation in blocks. That figure was the third highest single-season total in Ohio Valley Conference history, just eight off the record set back in 1982.

Broome tied the MSU record for blocks in a game when he rejected 12 at UT Martin on Feb. 16. He also recorded two or more blocks in the Eagles' final 21 games, including six in a game nine times.

In just two seasons, his 187 career blocks is already third all-time in program history.

Broome was equally as powerful on the rebounding end where he led the conference in total rebounds (358), rebounds per game (10.5), defensive rebounds (246) and defensive boards per game (7.2). He had four games with double-digit rebounds just on the defensive end. Broome also totaled 23 double-doubles, the second highest single-season total in program history and most for an OVC player since 2015-16.