Malachi Palmer

Palmer is a big-bodied volume scorer. He’s thick and powerful from head to toe, but especially in his upper body, and able to overpower most opposing perimeter players. He plays with an aggressive scoring mentality and hunts his mid-range pull-up. He can get to it by attacking either side and leans back enough in his release to make tough shots.

Palmer is more powerful than he is quick, but he’s capable of bullying opposing defenders to the rim and can also be fluid through contact in the open floor. His jumper is capable, but less consistent, from three, as he tends to shoot down on his release from that range.

Efficiency is the most important offensive variable for Palmer. He’s a proficient passer when he wants to be, but tends to be ball-dominant and settle for tough shots at times, which was part of why his shooting splits were so low in EYBL play (33% FG, 24% 3pt, 62% FT).

Palmer is capable of playing multiple positions because he’s been frequently utilized as a big guard in both prep school and EYBL, but also has the size and strength to match-up with wings and even some forwards. Defensively, he’s definitely more switchable up the line-up than he is down, and also able to provide a solid rebounder on the wing.

Palmer is older for his grade and already pretty close to being maxed out physically.