Cooper Flagg vs. Johni Broome stats comparison: Who will win player of the year?

For the first time in a few seasons, the college basketball player of the year race isn’t a foregone conclusion.

And the two players with the best chances as of now couldn’t have taken more divergent paths to contention for the sport’s top award.

Duke freshman Cooper Flagg and Auburn fifth-year senior Johni Broome have been the two best players in college basketball so far this season, leading two of the best teams in the country; the Blue Devils are No. 2 and the Tigers are No. 1 in the latest USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll.

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Flagg, who reclassified from the 2025 recruiting class to play his freshman season in 2024-25, was the No. 1-ranked player in his class and was tabbed as the favorite for the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NBA draft by many before playing a college game.

Broome, however, developed his skills in college; he was a three-star recruit in the 2020 recruiting class, rated the No. 77 center out of high school. He played two seasons at Morehead State before transferring to Auburn, where he has played three seasons, turning into one of the most dominant players in college basketball in 2024-25.

Here’s a comparison of Flagg’s and Broome’s stats this season as the two forwards chase the Wooden Award, the top honor in college basketball:

Cooper Flagg vs. Johni Broome player of the year race

Flagg and Broome have been dominant on both ends of the floor this season.

Flagg has been the more versatile player; the 6-foot-9 forward is equally good at dribbling and shooting off the dribble as he is at blocking shots and forcing steals. Broome, on the other hand, has been better as a back-to-the-basket player, scoring the majority of his points around the rim.

Broome has been one of the best rebounders in college basketball this season, entering Wednesday averaging the fourth-most in the country at 11.1 per game, the second-most among players at high-major programs. He has also been a shot blocker, ranking 11th nationally and third among high-major players with 2.6 per game.

Flagg has been a better shooter and overall defender, however, as he can not only guard forwards but can also switch onto guards, if needed. Flagg is also viewed as a better NBA draft prospect, which could play a role in the player of the year selection process.

Here’s a look at their stats:

Cooper Flagg stats

Here are Flagg’s stat averages this season:

• Points: 19.4
• Rebounds: 7.6
• Assists: 4.1
• Shooting: 49.1%
• 3-point shooting: 37.5%
• Blocks: 1.1
• Steals: 1.5

Johni Broome stats

Here are Broome’s stat averages this season:

• Points: 18.8
• Rebounds: 11
• Assists: 3.4
• Shooting: 50.9%
• 3-point shooting: 29.9%
• Blocks: 2.5
• Steals: 0.7

College basketball player of the year history

Here are the last 10 winners of the Wooden Award:

• 2024: Purdue forward Zach Edey
• 2023: Purdue forward Zach Edey
• 2022: Kentucky forward Oscar Tshiebwe
• 2021: Iowa forward Luka Garza
• 2020: Dayton forward Obi Toppin
• 2019: Duke forward Zion Williamson
• 2018: Villanova guard Jalen Brunson
• 2017: Kansas guard Frank Mason
• 2016: Oklahoma guard Buddy Hield
• 2015: Wisconsin forward Frank Kaminsky

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