NBA DRAFT

June 23, 2022

Malaki Branham

Q. Who is a player on the Spurs that you admire?

MALAKI BRANHAM: I'd probably say Dejounte Murray, just because he was kind of in the same range that I was, and also just hard worker and he's a great defensive player.

Q. What's the funniest or scariest rumor you've heard about being a rookie?

MALAKI BRANHAM: There's a lot of rookie duties, and if you don't do them, you might like pay consequences for them. So I'm going to do all my rookie duties.

Q. First of all, congratulations. What is it about the Spurs that you think you would be a good fit with them?

MALAKI BRANHAM: Yeah, I feel like just me spacing the floor and me being able to knock down outside shots, I feel like I'm a good fit for that.

Q. And ahead of the Draft, did you work out with them, interview with them?

MALAKI BRANHAM: I worked out with them.

Q. How did it go?

MALAKI BRANHAM: It went good. We had a couple Lottery guys, first-round guys in there, and it went good.

Q. What Spurs player are you looking forward to playing against in practice?

MALAKI BRANHAM: Really, all of them. We're going to compete and that's going to be good. We're always going to compete.

Q. I've been hearing stories about your work ethic. How long has it been a part of what you do and how important do you think that has been to your journey here?

MALAKI BRANHAM: Yeah, my work ethic started probably like sixth or seventh grade. That's when I really took it serious. It got me here. I'm just blessed.

Q. Every photo I see of you, you're smiling. What are things that make you smile on the basketball court and off the basketball court?

MALAKI BRANHAM: On the basketball court, I'm just having fun. If you're not having fun, why are you doing it? So me having fun.

Also off the court, I'm a smiley, laughy kind of person once you get to know me. I'd say that's why I'm smiling a lot.

Q. There's been three Spurs first-round picks so far between you, Jeremy Sochan and Blake Wesley from Notre Dame. Do you have relationship with those guys?

MALAKI BRANHAM: Yeah, so actually Blake Wesley was in my workout with the Spurs. So I've played against him. But also Jeremy Sochan. I feel like those two guys, I've built a relationship just throughout this pre-draft process. It's definitely going to be good. Our relationship is going to be a lot closer, for sure.

Q. Have you spent time in Texas at all?

MALAKI BRANHAM: No, not really. Yeah, not really.

Q. Are you excited to try some breakfast tacos?

MALAKI BRANHAM: I am, actually. I love breakfast food, so I'm open to try some breakfast tacos.