Louisville basketball: Five 2021 recruits you need to know

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LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY – DECEMBER 28: Chris Mack the head coach of the Louisville Cardinals gives instructions to his team against the Kentucky Wildcats at Rupp Arena on December 28, 2019 in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

Malaki Branham – Guard

Akron, OH (Four-star)

National ranking: 26

Position ranking: 4

If Louisville were not to land Mohammed, Malaki Branham might be next up on the shooting guard/ combo forward list that the Cards want to land.

One look at Branham’s offer list and one realizes what the 6’4,” 180-pound combo guard is all about. Michigan State, Ohio State, Xavier, and Alabama are among the blue-collar style teams that are after the Akron, Ohio native.

St. Vincent-St. Mary’s is best known as the high school that produced Lebron James, but they have pumped out a number of Big Ten style players over the years.

Louisville’s last STVM product was VJ King, and while he was a subject of contention among many fans throughout his career, Branham is similar in the style of play that he would bring to the table.

"Good size for a shooting guard with secondary ball-handler capabilities, says Jerry Meyer of 247Sports. Solid athlete. Specialty is getting to the rim with his slashing style. 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."

Branham is exactly the type of player that Mack is looking for in his guards. He is long, athletic, and a hard-nosed, lunch pail toting guy who isn’t afraid to get in there with the bigs and draw contact.

That’s the commonalities you’ll see with nearly every guard Mack recruits going forward. They have to be long, and they have to be a willing rebounder and passer.

There’s no telling where David Johnson will be in two years, but if he hasn’t bolted for the pros, Branham would be a perfect fit alongside Johnson.

Similarly to Johnson or Terry Rozier, another Northern Ohio native, Branham would bring rebounding and tenacity to the guard position, which is something I think most Louisville fans would love to see more of.

He also seems like a guy with a solid head on his shoulders and a personality that would be endearing to Cards fans.

Branham would be a massive get for the Cards.

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