Branham reflects on season with Ohio State, talks about NBA draft preparation

INDIANAPOLIS — Malaki Branham and fellow Ohio State freshman Kalen Etzler are on a road trip this weekend. They were spotted watching games at the Nike EYBL stop here on Saturday.

Branham was the Big Ten freshman of the year this past season, emerging so much in the second half of the season that he made the decision on April 1 to declare for the NBA draft. Three weeks later, he said he has been going through extensive training to prepare for the NBA Draft Combine. The combine is set for May 16-22 in Chicago.

Underclassmen have until June 1 to pull their name out of draft consideration and return to their respective colleges. It sounds like Branham is resolute in his decision to become a professional.

He talked on Saturday about why he made the decision to test the waters.

“Really, it was the feedback I was getting,” Branham said. “My (evaluation) came back. We sent it in and it came back with some good information. I was just thinking about, ‘Why not?’ I could enter the draft process and find out what I need to work on and get feedback from (NBA) teams.”

Ohio State ended the season 20-12 after an NCAA second round loss to Villanova. The season included a three-week hiatus in December due to Covid-19 positive tests within the program. When the season was halted, Branham was averaging 6.3 points and 3.0 rebounds over the season’s first 10 games.

Branham never contracted the virus himself and, in fact, he spent much of that time working out with his personal shooting trainer to improve his range. When OSU’s season resumed in January, Branham was a different player. He served notice to that effect by exploding for a career-high 35 points in the team’s first game back with a win at Nebraska.

He ended up averaging 13.7 points, 3.6 rebounds and shooting 41.6 percent from three-point range. In the team’s 22 games after the Covid hiatus, Branham averaged 17.0 points per game.

“I was just putting the time in and working hard,” Branham said. “I feel like that will work out for you at some point. I just worked hard.”

Branham said declaring for the draft was not something he thought of during the season.

“I really didn’t think about it,” he said. “I was just focused on trying to win as many games as we could. After the season ended, I took some time off and I just felt like it was the best thing for me to do.”

Branham said OSU coach Chris Holtmann was supportive of his decision.

“He definitely wanted me to the test the waters, just so I could get the feedback from teams on what I need to work on,” Branham said.

Branham said he is continuing to work out with OSU assistant coach Jake Diebler twice a week. He is also working with his personal trainer Jason Dawson.

CBSSports.com NBA draft analyst Kyle Boone currently has Branham ranked 19th on his top 60 list of draft prospects. He is actually 10 spots ahead of outgoing OSU junior EJ Liddell, who checks in at No. 29 on that list.

In his most recent mock draft, Boone has Branham going 26th overall to the Dallas Mavericks. He pegs Liddell one spot later at No. 27 to the Miami Heat.

Branham was asked if a definitive first-round grade after the combine would be what it takes for him to keep his name in the draft pool.

“I’ve just got to get some feedback,” he said. “I don’t really know what to expect. With the NBA draft, you could go anywhere. The combine is in May and I will get to work out in front of (NBA) GMs.”

Asked about his season with the Buckeyes, Branham said, “It went good. I loved those guys in the locker room. I built a great bond with them throughout the year. I wanted to play as many games with those guys as I could because I may never get a chance to play a single game with the guys in that locker room again.”

Between the exodus of six seniors as well as Meechie Johnson’s transfer and the draft decisions by Branham and Liddell, Ohio State currently only has five returning players. That group includes “super seniors” Justice Sueing and Seth Towns (who each recently announced they plan to return) as well as juniors-to-be Zed Key and Eugene Brown and the redshirt freshman Etzler. They will be joined by five incoming freshmen and, at least so far, one incoming transfer with Wright State guard Tanner Holden joining the fold.

“Having those two (Sueing and Towns) back will provide leadership,” Branham said. “They’ve been in college a few years and they know how a program should be run. I know they will bring in some transfers as well.”

Branham predicts success as well for his good friend Etzler, who projects as a small forward or power forward for the Buckeyes.

“Him redshirting was probably good for him,” Branham said. “He was able to get stronger and add some physicality. I think he will be ready for next year.”