The 2022 NBA Draft will be an important event for teams to build for their future. Here is the Malaki Branham 2022 NBA Draft Profile.
Malaki Branham Background
Position:Â Guard
Size:Â 6-foot-4, 195 pounds
Class: Freshman
School: Ohio State
2021-22 stats:Â 13.7 points, 3.6 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 0.7 steals, 0.3 blocks, 49.8% FG, 41.6% 3FG, 83.3% FT
Branham spent just one season at Ohio State, but was able to showcase his skills. He has now declared for the 2022 NBA Draft.
Out of high school, Branham was a four-star recruit who decided to stay in state to play for the Ohio State Buckeyes. Branham helped the Buckeyes get a no. 7 seed in the NCAA Tournament in his lone season. They lost in the second round of the tournament but had a solid season. He averaged 13.7 points, 3.6 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game.
Following the season, Branham decided to take his game to the next level. He is a projected mid-round pick in the 2022 NBA Draft.
Malaki Branham Strengths
Branham shot an impressive 41.6 percent from 3-point range at Ohio State. He specialized in catch-and-shoot 3-pointers and showed the ability to hit them from NBA range. His shooting will help him stretch the floor and could help him see the floor early in his career.
His ability to score on all three levels is intriguing. He can get to the basket off the dribble and is able to finish well. As mentioned, he can shoot from deep. Branham also has a solid mid-range game and can hit contested shots. On top of that, he hits 83 percent of his free throws, showing his ability to score in a variety of ways.
He has a solid wingspan that really helps him on the defensive end. His wingspan was measured at 6-foot-10 at the NBA Combine. Branham has solid awareness on the defensive end and his length helps him compete. He has some work to do staying in front of his man, but there are tools for Branham to develop into a better defender.
Malaki Branham Weaknesses
While he is good at shooting off the catch, he is less successful shooting off the dribble. He is not necessarily a player that can hit a lot of pull-up jumpers. In the NBA, he may be best playing off-ball a lot and letting other players set him up to shoot.
His defense can be improved by working on staying in front of his man. He has the physical tools to not just guard his man, but also produce more than the 0.7 steals and 0.3 blocks per game. Branham will need to put in some work on the defensive end before being trusted with a lot of minutes.
While he can get to the basket, Branham doesn’t have the most explosive first step. This shows up on the defensive end when he tries to stay in front of his man, but it also limits how often he can effectively drive. He will have to win against better athletes at the NBA level, so it may be harder for him to get to the basket.
Projected Draft Range:Â Mid-First-Round Pick
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