After a phenomenal freshman season at Ohio State, Malaki Branham has a unique opportunity to play in the NBA. Malaki is a 6 foot 5 inch 180-pound freshman out of Columbus, Ohio played his high school ball at St. Vincent-St. Mary's. Malaki achieved the following accolades during his high school years.
No. 32 in the 2021 ESPN Top 100 / No. 35 by 247Sports.
Ohio Mr. Basketball as a senior in 2021
Selected for the 2021 Jordan Brand Classic
2x first-team All-Ohio honoree
2x state champion (2018, 2021)
Scored 1,501 career points at SVSM
The highly sought-after recruit ranked 35th in the country by 247 chose the Buckeyes on July 22, 2020. After being announced as Ohio Mr. Basketball, there was talk that Malaki Branham maybe a two-year and done player. After starting the season coming off the bench for the Buckeyes, Malaki quickly began to show that the hype was real. Malaki suited up as a starter for the second game. He put up average numbers over the next couple of games. However, on January 2, 2022, number 22 had a performance that put him on the radar of many NBA scouts. He put together a 35-point game to lead the Buckeyes over Nebraska 87-79 in overtime.
Malaki Branham vs. Nebraska 1.2.22
Malaki Branham vs. Illinois 2.24.22
The start of what would be an outstanding season for Malaki Branham. Posting multiple 20-point games and dropping another 30-ball on Illinois, Malaki showed that he is one of the best young players in the nation. Finishing off his successful season by winning the following awards:
Kyle Macy Award winner presented annually to the top DI freshman
Kyle Macy Award Freshman All-America Team
Big Ten Freshman of the Year
Third team All-Big Ten
All-Freshman Team
3x Big Ten Freshman of the Week
Malaki Branham is a proven winner. He is a fierce competitor with an endless motor to get better and perfect his craft. On the biggest stage in the second round of the NCAA tournament, he put together a game-high 23 points vs. Villanova. Ohio State fell to Villanova 61-71 ending Malaki Branham's electric freshman season at Ohio State.
The now eighteen soon-to-be nineteen-year-old has announced that he wanted to test the NBA waters following the completion of the 2021-22 season while maintaining his eligibility. Notable websites project him as a top-15 pick in the 2022 NBA Draft. He received successful feedback from NBA scouts and GMs. Surrounded by his Ohio State family in the practice gym at the Schottenstein Center, Malaki has announced his decision to remain in the NBA Draft. The great legacy of wearing #22 at Ohio State lives on.
Where does Malaki Branham's stock currently stand? Mock drafts are subject to change. Here are the current placements of Malaki Branham in 2022 NBA Mock Drafts by notable sites:
Website | Round | Pick | Team |
Yahoo Sports | 1 | 10 | Wizards |
NBA Draft.NET | 1 | 10 | Wizards |
NBA Draft Room | 1 | 13 | Hornets |
ESPN | 1 | 16 | Hawks |
Fox Sports | 1 | 17 | Pacers |
CBS | 1 | 26 | Mavs |
The NBA Draft is Thursday, June 23rd.
Andrew Boszor