Duke Freshman Big Man Khaman Maluach is jumping to the NBA, where it could be a selection among the 10 best in the June draft.
The Blue Devils announced Sunday in a publication on social networks that the 7 -foot 2 and 250 pounds would go to the unique route after helping the Blue Devils reach the last four. First year students had until 11:59 pm et on Saturday to meet the deadline of the NBA to declare themselves as eligible to the Draft.
“His best years are, with much, in front of him,” said Duke coach Jon Scheyer, in a video posted on social networks. “I can't wait to see what you will do because it is scratching the surface. It has an incredible base for what is as a player, but that skill set will continue to grow.”
Maluach is an elite corridor that used its length to finish the lists to obtain easy scores or to block the shots in the center of a defense that was among the best in the nation in Kenpom's efficiency metrics. He also showed the ability to defend himself in the perimeter with Duke's change defense.
He averaged 8.6 points, 6.6 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game while fired 71.2% from the field, although it was also reliable in the free throw line (76.6%) and made four triples to show its potential for an expanded range. Maluach is still developing his skills set, but its wingspan of 7-5 and 9-8 foot range are attractive numbers for possible NBA suitors.
In his only season in Duke, Maluach was appointed for the ACC All-Rookie team after playing some of his best basketball in his last month. It will be one of the youngest perspectives of the Draft, turning 19 in September.
Maluach is from South Sudan and played for his country at the Olympic Games in Paris of 2024. He joined the NBA Academy Africa in 2021, participated in the Nike Hoop summit in April 2024 and was a National ESPN national recruit.
He had six points and zero rebounds in the defeat of Duke's season against Houston in national semifinals on April 5. That same day, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that the United States was revoking all visas in the hands of the South Sudan Passport headlines, creating uncertainty about Maluach's immigration situation, although there have been no updates or changes in that announcement.
Duke's spokesman Frank Tramble issued a statement on April 5 by saying that the school was aware of the announcement and investigated the situation to understand “any involvement for Duke students.”
Maluach is Duke's fourth player to take an early leap to the NBA draft, starting with the first year wing Kon Knueppel and Junior Guard Tyrese Proctor. Last week, the first year star Cooper Flagg joined the list and is the favorite to be the number 1 choice.
The Blue Devils will lose the five headlines, with the transfer of Postgraduate Zion James also starting, although the Scheyer program has the recruitment class No. 1 of ESPN from January, directed by the twins Cameron and Cayden Boazer.
Associated Press contributed to this report.
