The Ohio basketball ties for Malaki Branham already run deep, even before his NBA journey begins when his name is called on Thursday in the 2022 draft.

Branham was born in Columbus, moved to Akron to play at St. Vincent-St. Mary High School and played one collegiate season at The Ohio State University.

A successful high school career- where he won two state titles (2018, 2021) and was named Ohio's Mr. Basketball in his senior year, averaging 21.3PPG, 5.7RPG, and 1.8APG- led him back to Columbus to play a season at OSU.

Starting the year coming off the bench for Head Coach Chris Holtmann, Branham burst on the scene just after the new year.

Following a nearly month-long COVID outbreak for the Buckeyes, Branham exploded for a career-best 35 points in an overtime win on the road against Nebraska. Playing 35 minutes, the Big Ten Freshman of the Year connected on six triples and missed just six shots on the night.

In the 10 games to start the season, Branham averaged just 6.3PPG. In the remaining 19, his scoring average jumped to 16.9PPG, including another 30-point outing and five games of 20 or more points.

Starting both games OSU played in the tourney, Branham scored 37 total points, including 23 in the round two loss to Villanova.

Branham will make his mark (early on, at least) on the offensive side of the ball at the NBA level. He shot nearly 50 percent from the floor and 41.6 percent from three, to go with an 83.3 percent from the free throw line.

In addition to his sharpshooting ability, the Buckeye is able to get to the basket and finish well at the rim, shooting 68 percent from eight feet and in. His cutting, slashing, finishing, and dunking ability were on display throughout the college season.

He has the ability to improve on the defensive side of the ball, however, with his 6'5" frame and 6'10" wingspan. In his one year in school, he only blocked 0.3 shots per game and grabbed 0.7 steals per game. With his measurables, those numbers could see a bump in the future.

As we talked about a few weeks ago, Dyson Daniels has rapidly improved his draft stock, especially after the NBA Draft Combine. But Branham's stock has been steadily on the rise since the calendar flipped to 2022. The question now becomes: will the Ohio native be on the board when the Ohio team is on the clock?

There are really no glaring weaknesses in Branham's game, but rather some areas in which he could improve, and those may happen over time.

For as good and effective as his three point shooting is, he did not shoot the ball from behind the arc too much in his one season in Columbus; he shot just under three a game. If he were to shoot more at the next level, is the percentage at which he makes triples sustainable?

Branham is known as a scorer, and that may always be his calling card. If he will be able to become more of a playmaker (handed out 2.0 assists per game), his game could take a big step in the Association.

While he does stand at 6'5", he is in a bit of a middle-ground, between a shooting guard and a small forward.

The Wine & Gold need some playmakers on the wing, and Branham checks that box.

His three point shooting and making could prove to be an immediate impact in Cleveland (a team that was 22nd in three point attempts and 20th in three point makes last season).

Wings and dynamic scorers are currently a hot commodity all across the league. There are a handful of teams above the Cavs that make sense, fit wise, for Branham, but we only have to wait two more days to see where he will suit up. Could it be a homecoming?