2022 NBA Draft Breakdown - Malaki Branham
Frosh that steadily rose up draft boards. Now, he has a chance to be taken in the lottery.
Before the season, Ohio State guard Malaki Branham wasn’t on many radars as a potential one-and-done, but after averaging over 13 points a game, Branham is in lottery consideration. In his one and only season at Ohio State, the 6-foot-5.5 Branham averaged 13.7 points, 3.6 rebounds and two assists per game while shooting an outstanding 49.8% from the floor and 41.6% from deep along with an 83.3% rate from the charity stripe.
Branham has the potential to be an absolutely elite scorer at the next level, turning it on on a dime. The former Buckeye had eight games with 20 or more points this season including a 35-point, 6 for 10 three-point showing against Nebraska. In that 22-game stretch that includes his Nebraska game, Branham averaged 17 points, 3.8 rebounds and 2.2 assists on 52.8/43.2/82.2 splits. Equipped with a 6-foot-10 wingspan, Branham is one of the most intriguing offensive players in the class, especially considering the jump he made in the latter two-thirds of the season.
At age 19, it’s impressive to see just how much Branham can light opponents up from various spots on the floor. Branham is exceptional at drawing contact, taking 4.1 free throws per game in that 22-game stretch to close the year, and he’s able to slowly work himself into ample position to make shots. Branham drives to his left often and sinks mid-range jumper after mid-range jumper and he’s improving as a catch-and-shoot threat. Being able to score with both hands equally comfortably is an important skill for scorers at the next level, and that’s something Branham excels at. Again, his wingspan helps him shoot over the top of opposing defenses. For some wings and forwards with larger wingspans, their shot form can be a bit off, but not with Branham, who loads and releases his shot quickly and smoothly.
As I said, Branham is an emerging and continually improving catch-and-shoot three-point threat. Branham looks good in all spots off the catch and shoot but he looks especially impressive in the corners. However, despite the fact that Branham does a good job of getting mid-range jumpers to fall off the bounce, that’s the area of his deep game that he needs to work on. Branham didn’t take enough off-the-dribble threes and didn’t hit them at a high enough rate to inspire confidence.
Despite the fact that Branham has good size, he didn’t put up enough defensive statistics in his first season. Branham averaged just 0.7 steals and 0.3 blocks per game this past season, with his steal rate being especially concerning considering his great wingspan. Branham struggles with a more physical style of play and gets bodied by bigger players and never really fights through opponents either.
However, I do think that Branham can overcome those two weaknesses with the right coaching and mentality.
Branham is a huge riser on my big board and may very well end up in the top 10 once it’s all said and done. Branham’s green room invite also bodes well for a potential lottery selection, with many pointing to the Cleveland Cavaliers at No. 14 as a favorite for Branham’s services. There just aren’t many guys in this class that can slow down the pace of the game and score in practically any way they want while being incredibly young (Branham doesn’t turn 20 until next May). Branham is one of those guys.