Although neither scrimmaged at the NBA Draft Combine, E.J. Liddell and Malaki Branham aimed to improve their stock with team interviews and athletic testing in Chicago.
“Just being able to guard everybody, honestly. I can play where I can guard, and I see a lot of on the court, to guard a lot of different people,” Liddell said. “When it comes to my lateral quickness, that’s definitely been improving and I think I can show that some more.
” Liddell’s stocky build and athleticism have drawn comparisons to Boston Celtics forward and former Tennessee Volunteer Grant Williams, who went No. 22 overall in the 2019 draft after a three-year college career. If the similarities between the two players continue, Liddell could quickly find himself being a significant contributor on a championship-contending team, even if it takes him a year or two to find his footing. “ a guy who’s known for heart, honestly,” Liddell said. “My first year, I don’t expect it to be perfect, but after a couple years, building trust and me just being the player I’ve always been.” Liddell reportedly interviewed with the Detroit Pistons, Golden State Warriors, Milwaukee Bucks, Toronto Raptors and Dallas Mavericks at the combine. The Pistons have the highest first-round pick of any of those teams at No. 5, but Liddell would figure to fall a bit lower in the draft order come late June. E.J. Liddell, from Ohio State, interviewed with Pistons, Warriors, Bucks, Raptors, and Mavericks. Measured at 6-5.5 w/ a 6-11.75 wingspan; he the posted top standing vertical leap. He played for Bradley Beal's AAU team said he learned to use his size and to be tough from Beal.Branham told ESPN Thursday he has recently interviewed with 10 different teams, and he said during his combine media session that the list includes the Brooklyn Nets, Denver Nuggets, Milwaukee Bucks, Oklahoma City Thunder, Miami Heat, Minnesota Timberwolves, New York Knicks, Houston Rockets and Philadelphia 76ers. Three of those teams have lottery picks in the draft, and the Thunder actually possess two. Malaki Branham met with the Nets, Nuggets, Bucks, Thunder, Heat, Timberwolves, Knicks, Rockets and 76ers this week. Said he didnt know what workouts he has coming up yet.Branham likened the rapid interview process to “speed dating,” and said many teams just wanted to get to know him and see what the Big Ten Freshman of the Year’s personality is like before draft day.Ohio State's Malaki Branham conducted a Pro Day in front of a packed house of decision makers at the NBA Combine. The projected lottery pick showed his fluidity and smooth mid-range game while mixing in some unexpected defensive drills.