The Ohio State University must be proud of having two of their best players land a spot in the NBA Draft pick held last June 23, 2022. Buckeyes Malaki Branham and EJ Liddell prided their university when their names were called by the San Antonio Spurs and New Orleans Pelicans, respectively.
What Makes These Two Players Special To Be Selected In The NBA?
Malaki Branham and EJ Liddell
Both Malaki and EJ had great collegiate careers, with Malaki especially impressing scouts with his athleticism and shooting ability. OSU will no doubt miss having these two talented young players on their team, but they can take comfort in knowing they have helped to produce two more potential NBA stars.
MALAKI BRANHAM was drafted as the first round’s 20th pick by the San Antonio Spurs. The 6-foot-5-inch shooting guard averaged 13.7 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 2 assists, per game in his junior year with the Buckeyes. Branham is a lethal scorer from all three levels.
This player is especially dangerous from beyond the arc. He’s a knock-down shooter with deep range. And he’s not afraid to pull up from anywhere on the court, even with a hand in his face. He would fit right into San Antonio Spurs Champion coach Greg Popovich’s system plays known for vast floor spacing and ball movement.
Many sports analysts are comparing him to Milwaukee Bucks sharpshooter Khris Middleton. Having said his impressive shooting ability, Malaki Branham is expected to make an immediate impact on the Spurs rotation. Given the proper role and motivation, there is no doubt this versatile player will prove his worth to the team.
On the other hand, EJ LIDDELL was picked as the 41st pick by the New Orleans Pelicans. Standing 6 -foot-7-inch tall, he is a strong mobile power forward who contributed largely in his Junior season at OSU with his average of 19.4 points,7.9 rebounds,2.5 assists, and 2.6 blocks per game.
EJ Liddell is an excellent scorer near the basket and proved to be a good re-bounder. He’s not afraid to bang down low and can finish through contact. EJ Liddell has shown vast improvement in his outside shooting, making him a scary proposition on both ends of the floor. He has a high motor and is always hustling for loose balls.
This young player would give the New Orleans Pelicans a much-needed scoring punch off the bench. He can potentially be a major contributor to the team in the future.EJ Liddell will be a key piece in the Pelican’s rebuilding process.
Malaki Branham and EJ Liddell are well-thought recruits by their respective teams. Malaki Branham is a steal of the draft and EJ Liddell is a key piece in the Pelican’s rebuilding process. It will be interesting to see how these young men will perform in the NBA and make a name for themselves.
But one thing is for sure, they have the potential to be great players in the league. Only time will tell how good they can be. Fans cant wait to see them play at the professional level.