Ohio State basketball: Could Malaki Branham be returning?

The Ohio State basketball team lost Malaki Branham to the NBA Draft as he entered his name into the process on April 1st. There is now a press conference at 1:00 PM today set for an announcement with skepticism that Branham could return to the Buckeyes for his sophomore season.

Once the season ended, everyone was wondering if Malaki Branham would declare for the NBA Draft or not. After a sensational finish to his freshman season, it was no question that Branham would at least test the NBA waters. He did enter his name into the NBA Draft process, but he did maintain his college eligibility.

Branham’s name was being tossed around in the media over the weekend which gave slight hope that there could be some change in his original decision. When Branham announced on April 1st that he was entering his name into the NBA Draft he also said that he will only keep his name in the process if he believes he will be a first-round pick. He said on Saturday at the Nike EYBL AUU tournament in Indianapolis that he wants to receive more feedback from NBA scouts before making a final decision.

So according to scouts Branham isn’t a complete lock to be drafted in the first round, which is really shocking to me. There are certain areas of his game that he does need to improve on. Branham could increase his draft stock enough to be a lock-in at least the top 10 of the 2023 NBA Draft by deciding to come back for his sophomore season.

I’m not trying to get my hopes too high before his announcement today. However, if Branham does decide that he is coming back for his sophomore season it might be the greatest return of a player in Buckeye basketball history.

We’ll find out today at 1:00 PM about the future of Malaki Branham and the Ohio State basketball program.