South Sudanese basketball sensation Khaman Maluach has officially declared for the 2025 NBA Draft following a standout freshman season with Duke University. The 7-foot-2 center is widely projected as a lottery pick, drawing major attention for his rare combination of size, skill, and potential.
Maluach, who grew up in Uganda and trained at the NBA Academy Africa, impressed in his lone season at Duke. Starting all 39 games, he helped lead the Blue Devils to the ACC regular-season and tournament titles, as well as a Final Four appearance.
He averaged 8.6 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks per game, while shooting a remarkable 71.2% from the field and 76.6% from the free-throw line — efficiency that highlights his finishing ability and composure at the rim.
Ranked No. 8 on ESPN’s big board and projected No. 14 to the Atlanta Hawks by The Athletic’s Sam Vecenie, Maluach is one of the youngest prospects in the draft, not turning 19 until September.
Despite picking up basketball later than many of his peers, Maluach quickly emerged as a two-way force. His 7-foot-6 wingspan and 9-foot-8 standing reach made him a dominant rim protector, while his agility and lateral quickness allowed him to defend on the perimeter — a rare trait for a player of his stature.
On offense, Maluach excelled as a vertical lob threat, ranking in the top 10 nationally in offensive rebounding rate and finishing an incredible 80.6% of his shots at the rim, according to CBB Analytics. He developed strong chemistry with Duke’s star guard Cooper Flagg, thriving in pick-and-roll situations.
Though still developing his post game, Maluach displayed soft hands and a growing touch. Scouts are also optimistic about his future as a floor-spacing big, citing his increasing three-point attempts and strong free-throw shooting as signs of untapped shooting potential.
With his elite physical tools, defensive prowess, and flashes of offensive growth, Khaman Maluach is viewed as a high-upside project with the potential to become a long-term anchor for an NBA frontcourt.
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