Cavs 2022 NBA Draft Notebook: Malaki Branham Scouting Report

The last time the Cleveland Cavaliers selected an Akron St. Vincent St. Mary’s product in the first round of the NBA Draft, it worked out pretty well for them. Akron native LeBron James led the Cavaliers to the city’s first championship in over 50 years back in 2016. However, we are nearly six years removed from that glorious title, and the Cavs might be looking at another former SVSM product to help get them over the top in today’s NBA world.

Malaki Branham, a freshman at Ohio State, started the season on a slower note, but finished the season on a roll, which is why the Ohio State wing is poised to be drafted in the lottery of the upcoming 2022 NBA Draft.

Branham finished his lone season at Ohio State averaging nearly 14 points per game, while shooting 41.6% from three, and 50% from the field. Consistency is one of Branham’s greatest assets. His shooting numbers resemble that, but he is also a bit more explosive than you might think. He doesn’t have the quick-twitch ability of a Jaden Hardy, or Bennedict Mathurin, but he is able to create separation and make tough shots.

On the defensive side of the ball, he has good perimeter defense, with reason to believe it will only get better in the coming years. After taking a closer look at Jaden Hardy, Bennedict Mathurin, and Ochai Agbaji recently in scouting profiles, let’s take a harder look at Branham, and how he could make an impact for the Cavaliers.