Malaki Branham is now a pro after the San Antonio Spurs selected him 13th overall in the 2022 NBA Draft. Branham spent just one year in Columbus with the Ohio State Buckeyes before deciding that he would try his luck in the draft and that dream is now realized by the 6-5 guard out of Akron, Ohio.
Branham is looking to make Akron proud in the league. After all, when one talks about Akron and the NBA, there's only one man — and one man only — that comes off the top of one's head and that's Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James. Hopefully, the Spurs can get some solid production out of the new rookie they selected in the NBA Draft.
The similarities in the background of Branham and James don't end there because like the future Hall of Famer, Branham is also a product of St. Vincent-St. Mary’s High School. Speaking of James, the four-time NBA MVP gave his best wishes to Branham in his pursuit of the NBA dream via Twitter back in April.
Good luck nephew!!! 🙏🏾👑 https://t.co/86fqRdT5Fg
— LeBron James (@KingJames) April 1, 2022
While the shadow of LeBron James is always going to loom large over anyone in the NBA who is from Akron, Branham has all the tools he needs to be his own man once he starts getting minutes for the Spurs. He's a solid prospect with a ton of potential and San Antonio may have taken the steal of the NBA Draft.
In his first and only season with the Buckeyes, Branham averaged 13.7 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per game. He shot 49.8 percent from the field and 41.6 percent from behind the arc. Branham is an efficient scorer from almost anywhere on the floor. He is a threat with the ball and off the ball with excellent ball-handling skills and solid range. Plus, he projects to be someone who can be relied upon to be a stopper on the defensive end of the court.
Branham should be able to get an opportunity to showcase his talents with ample minutes with the Spurs in his rookie season in the NBA.
Follow Us
Subscribe