Chris Holtmann’s persistence has paid off. For nearly three years, he and his Ohio State staff chased Malaki Branham, and on Wednesday afternoon, the four-star shooting guard ended his recruitment by announcing a momentous commitment to play for the Buckeyes. Branham, a Columbus native who has lived in Akron since beginning high school, chose the Buckeyes over offers from Marquette, Pittsburgh, Baylor, Wake Forest, Florida, Cincinnati, Iowa and others. Louisville and Xavier were among the schools going after him the hardest before falling short in their pursuit, and Alabama made a late push. The St. Vincent-St. Mary rising senior becomes the third Ohioan to join an in-state-heavy 2021 class that already features four-star combo guard Meechie Johnson of Garfield Heights and four-star power forward Kalen Etzler of Convoy Crestview. Branham, ranked as the No. 1 player from the state in the cycle, is Holtmann’s top-rated pledge ever as a head coach. The Branham File Class: 2021 Size: 6-foot-4, 175 pounds Pos: SG…
Continue Reading: Four-star Guard Malaki Branham Commits to Ohio State
