COLUMBUS – Ohio State freshman Malaki Branham and junior E.J. Liddell were selected in the opening rounds of the NBA draft Thursday night.
The San Antonio Spurs chose Branham with the 20th selection and the New Orleans Pelicans used the 41st pick to draft Liddell.
Branham averaged 13.7 points, 3.6 rebounds and two assists per game in his only season with the Buckeyes.
Liddell’s selection gave OSU multiple picks in the same draft for the first time in 15 years.
Liddell went through the draft process last summer but elected to return to Ohio State for his junior season and elevated his draft stock with his best performance as a Buckeye, averaging 19.4 points, 7.9 rebounds, 2.6 blocks and 2.5 assists per game.