Ohio State basketball: Could Malaki Branham be one and done?

The Ohio State basketball team’s best player is easily E.J. Liddell. Liddell does so many things on offense that opens up the floor for other players to be effective. When players collapse on him, other Buckeyes get open shots. His defense has greatly improved too.

The second-best player for the Buckeyes is Malaki Branham. Branham came in as a freshman from St. Vincent St. Mary’s High School and is the only freshman that gets any playing time from the 2021 class. If he keeps going like he’s going, he might think about leaving at the end of the year.

Branham averages 11.8 points per game on 48% shooting from the field and 46% shooting from three. He’s an offensive juggernaut that can get any mid-range shot he wants. He probably should shoot more from three because he’s deadly out there. Right now, he only attempts  2.5 per game.

Branham’s role has increased dramatically since Big Ten play has started. He put up 35 at Nebraska earlier this season and has scored 22 and 27 in the last two games respectively. He’s developed into a huge weapon for the Ohio State basketball team.

Because his play has been so strong, could he leave after one year? If Branham has a killer NCAA Tournament, would it be crazy for him to jump to the NBA? We’ve seen crazier things happen. Duane Washington left after last year and now gets significant time with the Pacers after being a second-round pick.

I haven’t seen Branham’s name in any NBA mock drafts, even in the second round. A run to the Final Four would probably change that, but I still think he needs one more year. The fact that this is being brought up is a testament to how good Branham has been so far for the Buckeyes.

There’s a lot more basketball to be played, but Buckeye fans shouldn’t think it’s a slam-dunk that they get Branham back for another year.