Akron (Ohio) St. Vincent St. Mary’s guard Malaki Branham has won the Ohio Mr. Basketball award, the fourth time a player from St. Vincent St. Mary’s has earned the honor.
The first three were by LeBron James (2001), LeBron James (2002) and LeBron James (2003).
Branham helped to lead St. Vincent St. Mary’s to a 25-2 record by averaging 21.3 points, 5.1 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.8 steals per game. He also had one of his best performances on the largest stage, scoring 37 points in the state title game to help lead the Fighting Irish to a win over Columbus St. Francis DeSales.
The 6-4, 175-pound shooting guard is ranked as the top prospect in Ohio for the 2021 class. He also is ranked as the sixth-best shooting guard and No. 29 prospect overall. 247Sports’ Jerry Meyer compared Branham to Charlotte Hornets shooting guard Dwayne Bacon.
“Good size for a shooting guard with secondary ball handler capabilities. Solid athlete. Specialty is getting to the rim with his slashing style,” Meyer wrote of Branham. “Improving outside shooter who can keep the defense honest. Quality ball handler and who can pass on the move. Versatile defender who rebounds at a high level.”
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