Report: Former Ohio State star Malaki Branham's name 'buzzing' during NBA Draft Combine, lottery talk heating up

Malaki Branham: Lottery pick? One NBA Draft expert seems to think it’s a possibility.

Basketball News’ Matt Babcock said Saturday Branham’s name has been “buzzing” throughout the NBA Draft Combine in Chicago and he thinks there’s a “strong possibility” the former Ohio State star goes in the lottery during June’s draft. Branham burst onto the scene for the Buckeyes as a freshman in 2021-22 and helped lead them to the Round of 32 in the NCAA Tournament.

Alongside EJ Liddell, who’s also a potential first-round draft pick, Branham was a force for Ohio State. He averaged 13.7 points per game on 49.8% shooting, including 41.6% from three-point territory. His ability to shoot the three could be a big factor in where he falls in the draft June 23.

Where 2022 NBA mock drafts project Malaki Branham to be selected

In three major NBA mock drafts —  ESPN, CBS Sports and USA Today — Branham is a borderline lottery selection. ESPN and CBS Sports both project him to go No. 14 overall to the Cleveland Cavaliers while USA Today has him to the Charlotte Hornets as the No. 15 overall pick.

Still, the consensus seems to be Branham will go ahead of Liddell on draft night. Liddell put up bigger scoring numbers, averaging 19.4 points and 7.9 rebounds per game, but isn’t projected to go higher than No. 23 overall by CBS Sports. ESPN mocked him as the No. 24 overall selection while USA Today put him at No. 26 overall.

Either way, one of them will likely be the first Ohio State player to get drafted since 2018 when the Minnesota Timberwolves selected Keita Bates-Diop in the second round. The Buckeyes haven’t had a first-round selection since 2012 when Jared Sullinger went to the Boston Celtics as the No. 21 overall pick.