Ohio State star Malaki Branham announces NBA Draft decision
Ohio State star guard Malaki Branham has revealed his basketball future. In an announcement made Wednesday with Buckeyes coach Chris Holtmann by his side, Branham announced he will be hiring an agent and staying in the NBA Draft process.
Branham, a native of Columbus, finished his freshman campaign with 13.7 points, 3.6 rebounds, and two assists per game. In the Buckeyes’ second-round loss to current Final-Four team Villanova, the freshman did all he could to keep them afloat. Branham scored a game-high 23 points on 10-19 shooting from the field. He also connected on three other Buckeyes seven made three-point shots.
Additionally, Branham was a four-star prospect coming out of St. Vincent-St. Mary’s High School according to the On3 Consensus, a complete and equally weighted industry-generated average that utilizes all four major recruiting services. The now-former Ohio State Buckeyes player was the No. 1 player to come out of the state of Ohio in the 2021 recruiting class.
In ESPN’s latest two-round NBA mock draft, Branham falls just outside the lottery — projected to go No. 16 to the Atlanta Hawks.
Last season, Malaki Branham captured the Big Ten Freshman of the Year Award. Now, the former Ohio State star will be looking to make his impact felt at the professional level.
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Furthermore, Malaki Branham penned a heartfelt letter to Ohio State faithful when he originally revealed he was taking his talents to the NBA.
“As a basketball player growing up, my dream has always been to play in the NBA, started Branham. “All the long hours in the gym, the sacrifices I, as well as my family have made, and simply just following the plan that God has for me has brought me to this point.
“Words can’t express how grateful I am that I became a Buckeye. I can’t thank The Ohio State University enough for the opportunity to play the game I love in my hometown.
“Thank you to Coach Holtmann and the entire staff for believing in me. They have allowed me to grow as a young man, a basketball player, and simply a better person over this past season. I can’t thank my coaches enough who have always been there for me through this journey and a special thank you to Jason Dawson as he continues to push and encourage me.
“Also, a big THANK YOU to my family for always being in my corner and making sacrifices in order to allow me to chase my dream.
“At this time I am going to chase that dream and enter my name into the NBA Draft!”
At the time, Malaki Branham received a vote of confidence from Ohio legend LeBron James, as he responded, “Good luck nephew!” Both Branham and James both attended St. Vincent-St. Mary’s High School in Akron, Ohio.