SG Malaki Branham (B1G Freshman of the Year, San Antonio Spurs)

[OSU_Buckguy]

247 Profile
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Height: 6'5"
Weight: 175
Hometown: Akron, OH
School: St. Vincent-St. Mary
Position: Shooting Guard

 

[OSU_Buckguy]

 

[OSU_Buckguy]

 

[OSU_Buckguy]

Malaki Branham emerges at Run 'N Slam

The Bill Hensley Memorial Run ‘N Slam is always one of the best opportunities for scouts to see underclass prospects for the first time on a big stage. With top talent from Indiana, Ohio, Illinois, and other states coming in for the event, players emerge on the national radar.

While this example might never be repeated, Run ‘N Slam is where Anthony Davis went from virtual unknown with one mid-major scholarship offer, to five-star and potentially generational talent overnight.

There was no example like Anthony Davis this year, but one player who shined the brightest without the buzz coming in, was Malaki Branham.

Branham, who goes to St. Vincent-St. Mary High School, in Akron, is a 6-foot-4 combo guard with length, athleticism, and an ability to do a little bit of everything on the court.

...

On the recruiting side of things, it is early for Branham. He has a little bit of interest, but more programs are sure to take notice very soon.
“Duquesne, Akron and Ohio University have been talking to me, and Ohio State is interested in me some,” said Branham of his recruitment.

...

Currently Branham is unranked in the class of 2021, but that will change in a major way soon. Look for Branham to be one of the highest ranked prospects in the entire Midwest, and if he continues his strong improvement, he might become one of the most sought-after guards in the entire country.

Spiece Run-N-Slam

Malaki Branham – ’21 SG/SF Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary’s: We usually don’t repeat prospects from week to week on these recaps; however, when a player continues to play at an elite level they deserve the corresponding recognition, and that’s exactly why Branham makes the list again. The 6’5 wing from the Akron area was dynamic for his NEO Tru Game 16u team again this weekend, leading his squad to the Platinum Bracket title game, including a heated win over in-state rival OBC on Saturday in pool play. Branham has shown that he can be consistent from weekend to weekend with his aggressiveness, which was our only question mark on him, as he clearly has the skill-set, athleticism and raw ability to be a high level prospect. Heading into the spring Branham was arguably a top-five prospect in Ohio’s 2021 class; however, after the last two week’s he not only un-debatably top-five, but trending towards potentially overtaking the #1 spot in Ohio’s rising junior class.

 

[MaxBuck]

Yeah, I know, I'm an old white man, stay off my lawn, but I really don't need to hear "Adderall" in the lyrics of the mixtape for a young man's hoop video.

With that whiny and largely irrelevant rant out of the way, the kid has some skills, though in a developmental stage. It will be interesting to track his progress.

 

[OSU_Buckguy]

 

[OSU_Buckguy]

 

[LitlBuck]

No intentions of an early commitment

Soon after the performance, which followed impressive play at Session I of the Nike EYBL in Atlanta in front of Ohio State coaches, the 6-foot-4, 198-pound combo guard became the top-ranked 2021 prospect in Ohio, per 247Sports, surpassing Meechie Johnson and Kalen Etzler. Branham rose all the way to No. 41 overall and become the sixth-rated combo guard in his class.

Four days after the victory against Mac Irvin Fire, he drove to Columbus with his family for his first-ever visit to Ohio State as a recruit. The rising junior from St Vincent-St. Mary High School had played at the Schottenstein Center during the high school state basketball tournament, but he had never checked out the campus and program from the perspective of a prospect.

Branham was taken for a trip around campus, then he checked out the locker rooms. Finally, he had a chance to sit down and talk with Chris Holtmann, who had a surprise for him.

“He took me into his office,” Branham said. “And then he let me see a couple videos of Ohio State and how they've been doing and just talked about the facts of the school. And then after that, he said, 'I would like to offer you.'”

Branham, who said he had no idea the offer was coming, called it a “surreal moment.”

“I was just smiling,” he said. “I was so happy. I was happy for my family.”

https://www.elevenwarriors.com/ohio...ohio-state-offer-pj-hall-recruitment-picks-up

Branham is not only an attractive prospect to Ohio State due to his skill, but because he grew up on the north side of Columbus.

He spent the first 14 years of his life in the city that houses the Buckeyes, eventually becoming a star middle schooler before moving to Akron to attend St. Vincent-St. Mary. He said he cheered for Ohio State “a little bit” growing up, mentioning he “still will cheer for them.”

Early in Branham’s recruitment, the Buckeyes have centered their pitch on him playing basketball for the state’s university, the one he grew up down the road from.

“It was just because you know I'm from Columbus, you know, hometown,” Branham said. “They think that I could be a part of something big because they did pretty good this year. And they said if I come, it's going to be even bigger.”

 

[wigmon]

Its wise to always be cautious about evaluating someone from highlights and I know nothing of the competition he is facing here, but I really like the touch he showed on a strong drive without forcing his way all the way to the basket. shows nice touch and understanding that getting closer to the basket doesn't always mean a better shot.

 

[OSU_Buckguy]

 

[OSU_Buckguy]

after meechie's commitment, osu to branham: "you have been warned. because i have my lasers, i have my tasers, i have my icbm's, i have my bazookas, and i have my jets pointed right at you."

 

[OSU_Buckguy]

 

[brodybuck21]

ummm id be ok with this.....

 

[OSU_Buckguy]

 

[OSU_Buckguy]