Ohio State's Malaki Branham to enter 2022 NBA Draft, will maintain college eligibility

Ohio State Buckeyes freshman Malaki Branham is entering the 2022 NBA draft, but he plans to maintain his college eligibility unless he receives an assurance that he’ll be selected in the first round, according to Jonathan Givony of ESPN. Branham is currently No. 16 on ESPN’s best available players list.

“I will be testing the draft waters while keeping my college eligibility intact,” Branham said. “I want to find the best situation and the right fit for me. I am staying in the draft if I’m in the first round because I believe if someone gives me four years to prove myself, I have no doubt that they will love what they’re getting.”

Branham, a 6-foot-5 guard, received numerous accolades in his lone season with the Buckeyes, including Big Ten Freshman of the Year and third-team all-conference. In 32 games (29.6 MPG), Branham averaged 13.7 points, 3.6 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game on a .498/.416/.833 shooting line.

He had a slow start to his college career, averaging just 6.3 PPG, 3.0 RPG and 1.6 APG on .388/.333/.1.000 shooting in his first 10 games, but he excelled down the stretch run of the season, averaging 20.2 PPG, 3.6 RPG, 2.4 APG and 1.0 SPG on .566/.344/.865 shooting over his final 10 contests.

“Breaking down film with coaches and gaining a better understanding of making the right reads, offensively and defensively, allowed me to excel even more in the second half of the season,” Branham said, as part of a larger quote. “I believe NBA teams will learn that I’ll be a sponge, no matter how things are going for me I’m willing to learn and take the time to be better. As I do those things, I can then apply what I’ve gained in understanding.”

Branham, who won’t turn 19 until next month, has the potential to be a lottery pick in June if he has a strong showing leading up to the draft, per Givony. Branham’s length (6-foot-11 wingspan), frame, shot-making, shot-creation, poise, burgeoning play-making skills and the improvement he showed over the course of the season indicate that he has a high ceiling as a prospect, as Givony relays.