Ohio State basketball: Malaki Branham gets drafted to the Spurs

The Ohio State basketball program was expected to have two first-round picks in the 2022 NBA Draft. It took a little longer for them to go than we expected, but it eventually happened for one of them. We now know that Malaki Branham is going to San Antonio to be a Spur.

Branham was taken 20th overall by the Spurs and will go to a team that might have the best culture in the NBA. The Spurs have been the pinnacle franchise when it comes to sustained success. Gregg Popovich is a living legend as a coach and will only help Branham.

As far as fit goes, Branham goes to an excellent situation in San Antonio. Branham has a chance to contribute immediately and has a chance to start right away at the two spot. He goes to a roster that has an All-Star at point guard in Dejounte Murray.

Branham has an excellent chance to turn into an All-Star himself. He has some great coaching around him in San Antonio. If he can improve his dribbling and his playmaking, he can be a really scary player to face. He’s still really young at just 19 years old.

Branham wasn’t expected to be a one-and-done, but he was just so good in his one year with the Ohio State basketball program. He may have gotten taken a little later than what we thought he would, he goes to a better situation than he would have if he’d gotten taken in the lottery.

In a few years, Branham could end up being one of the best players from this Draft.