Malaki Branham
NBA basketball player for the San Antonio Spurs
Malaki Branham (born September 7, 2002) is an American professional basketball player who was drafted by the San Antonio Spurs as the 20th overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft. Playing primarily as a shooting guard and small forward, Branham spent one season at the University of Ohio State before declaring for the NBA, averaging 13.7 points per game as a freshman. Standing 6'5" with strong athleticism and a developing three-point shot, he represents the modern NBA wing archetype valued for versatility on both ends of the court. In his rookie season with the Spurs, Branham demonstrated promise as a young scorer with solid defensive potential, earning playing time in coach Gregg Popovich's system. His trajectory within the NBA continues to develop, and he remains among the league's younger talents working to establish himself as a consistent contributor. Branham's career exemplifies the current generation of college basketball stars transitioning directly into professional play.
Athlete
American
2002
Thinking about the name
Malaki
Hebrew origin
“A streamlined, modern spelling of Malachi with the simple -i ending, creating a name that's both short and strong. This version has become increasingly popular among American parents seeking names with Hebrew biblical roots but contemporary brevity.”