After back-to-back seasons in which he averaged at least 21 minutes per game, Branham's role could decline this season following the additions of Chris Paul and Stephon Castle. Branham finished well outside the top 300 during his sophomore campaign, averaging 9.2 points, 2.1 assists and 1.2 three-pointers in 21.3 minutes per game. With a view to him potentially seeing fewer than 15 minutes per game this season, there is no reason to consider drafting him, even in deeper formats. However, he is someone to monitor down the stretch should the Spurs begin to focus more on their depth pieces, if and when the playoffs become unattainable. Read Past Outlooks
$Signed a two-year, $6 million contract with the Spurs in July of 2022. Spurs exercised $3.22 million team option for 2024-25 in October of 2023. Contract includes $4.96 million team option for 2025-26.
Personal Bio/PreCareer Summary
Malaki Lamar Branham was born May 12, 2003 in Columbus, Ohio, where he was raised. He trained under Jason Dawson starting in fifth grade and later moved to Akron, Ohio to go to St. Vincent-St. Mary High School, the same high school attended by LeBron James. Branham won two state championships at SVSM (2018, 2021) and was named first team All-Ohio during his junior and senior campaigns. During his final year, Branham averaged 21.3 points, 5.1 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.8 steals. He was named Ohio Mr. Basketball and made the Jordan Brand Classic roster, though the game wasn't played due to the COVID-19 pandemic. A four-star recruit, Branham committed to play collegiately at Ohio State. Starting 31 of 32 appearances as a freshman, he averaged 13.7 points, 3.6 rebounds and 2.0 assists in 29.5 minutes, and he went 37-of-89 (41.6%) from behind the three-point arc. Branham earned honors as Big Ten Freshman of the Year and All-Big Ten Third Team. On April 1, 2022, Branham declared for the NBA Draft. He was selected with the 20th overall pick by the San Antonio Spurs. Fans can follow the sharp-shooter on Twitter via @MalakiBranham.
Provides spark off bench
GSan Antonio Spurs
October 31, 2024
Branham recorded 15 points (6-11 FG, 3-4 3Pt) and three rebounds in 20 minutes during Wednesday's 105-93 loss to the Thunder.
ANALYSIS Branham's efficient shooting helped him tally 15 points for the second straight game while coming off the bench. The 21-year-old guard is averaging 11.0 points and 2.0 rebounds in 14.0 minutes across four appearances this season.
2024 NBA Per Game Split Stats - Starting/Off Bench
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2024 NBA Per Game Split Stats - Days Rest
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2024 NBA Per Game Split Stats - Vs Opp
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2024 NBA Per Game Split Stats - By Result
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Advanced Stats
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2024
2023
2022
Stat Review
How does Malaki Branham compare to other players?
This section compares his stats with all players from the previous three seasons (minimum 200 minutes played)*. The bar represents the player's percentile rank. For example, if the bar is halfway across, then the player falls into the 50th percentile for that stat and it would be considered average.
True Shooting %
An advanced statistic that measures a player's efficiency at shooting the ball that takes field goal percentage, free throw percentage, and three point percentage into account.
Effective Field Goal %
A statistic that adjusts field goal percentage to account for the fact that three-point field goals count for three points while field goals only count for two points.
3-Point Attempt Rate
Percentage of field goal attempts from three point range.
Free Throw Rate
Number of free throw attempts per field goal attempt.
Offensive Rebound %
An estimate of the percentage of available offensive rebounds a player grabbed while they were on the floor.
Defensive Rebound %
An estimate of the percentage of available defensive rebounds a player grabbed while they were on the floor.
Total Rebound %
An estimate of the percentage of available rebounds a player grabbed while they were on the floor.
Assist %
An estimate of the percentage of teammate field goals a player assisted while they were on the floor.
Steal %
An estimate of the percentage of opponent possessions that end with a steal by the player while they were on the floor.
Block %
An estimate of the percentage of opponent two-point field goal attempts blocked by the player while they were on the floor.
Turnover %
An estimate of turnovers committed per 100 plays.
Usage %
An estimate of the percentage of team plays used by a player while they were on the floor.
Fantasy Points Per Game
NBA Fantasy Points Per Game.
Fantasy Points Per Minute
NBA Fantasy Points Per Minute.
True Shooting %
66.7%
Effective Field Goal %
63.2%
3-Point Attempt Rate
42.1%
Free Throw Rate
23.7%
Offensive Rebound %
0.0%
Defensive Rebound %
14.1%
Total Rebound %
7.4%
Assist %
10.0%
Steal %
2.0%
Block %
2.2%
Turnover %
16.0%
Usage %
25.3%
Fantasy Points Per Game
14.5
Fantasy Points Per Minute
1.0
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Total
Per Game
Per 36
NBA Historical Fantasy Stats
How are these ratings calculated?
Our historical fantasy ratings are standard scores calculated using 8-Category settings with 12 teams and 13 players per team.
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NBA Per Game Historical Fantasy Stats
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NBA Per 36 Historical Fantasy Stats
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Historical ADP
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Spurs Depth Chart
Our full team depth charts are reserved for RotoWire subscribers.
Average Fantasy Points are determined when Malaki Branham was active vs. non-active during the season. Click here to view average fantasy points for a different time period.
Minutes
FanDuel
DraftKings
Yahoo
FantasyDraft
Head2Head
Sorare
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Recent RotoWire Articles Featuring Malaki Branham See More
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Looking to build a DraftKings DFS lineup for Wednesday's main NBA slate? Dan Bruno has you covered with news, notes and advice.
Past Fantasy Outlooks
2023
2022
Despite a relatively productive rookie season, Branham comes into the 2023-24 season with a lot of work ahead of him. He logged 23.5 minutes per night during the 2022-23 campaign, averaging 10.2 points, 1.9 assists and 1.2 three-pointers. Given he was playing for a team that was pushing hard for losses, it really was a best-case scenario for Branham. The Spurs are certainly not ready to contend for a title this season, meaning Branham could very well see more minutes than he should be getting once again. The addition of Cameron Payne, as well as a healthy Devin Vassell, could result in Branham sliding down the pecking order. With that said, he does warrant some attention in deeper formats, assuming the Spurs maintain their current trajectory.
Branham -- the 20th overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft -- joins a backcourt featuring Tre Jones on the ball, Devin Vassell alongside him and Joshua Primo as the primary option off the bench. Branham stated his case for playing time in Summer League, racking up 15.4 points, 3.6 rebounds and 1.4 assists over 27.9 minutes per game while shooting 42.3 percent from beyond the arc. However, even if Branham claims a consistent role in the rotation as a rookie, it will presumably surface in a bench capacity. Branham's primary contributions should come in the scoring column and beyond the arc, though he should also add in a few boards and assists. Branham doesn't project as a contributor in most formats but could garner consideration in dynasty or very deep leagues.
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Latest Fantasy Rumors
Staking claim to bigger role
GSan Antonio Spurs
October 30, 2024
Branham has played well enough in the absence of Tre Jones to potentially keep a spot in the Spurs' backcourt rotation once the team is healthy, Jeff McDonald of the San Antonio Express-News reports.
ANALYSIS With Jones sidelined the last two games by an ankle injury, Branham has stepped up with 22 points, three rebounds, three assists, three three-pointers and three combined steals and blocks across 31 minutes off the bench. The third-year guard began the season on the outside of the regular rotation, but he could be pushing his way back in. "He's been a pro," coach Gregg Popovich said after Monday's loss to the Rockets. "He's done what he needed to do at practice and shootarounds. He came in and was ready to go. A class act."