Khaman Maluach, a 7-foot-2 center from NBA Academy Africa in Senegal, told ESPN that he has committed to Duke.
“Duke is home; that's where I belong.” Maluach said. “This was the hardest decision I've ever made. I felt like I could be successful anywhere, but I felt most comfortable going to Duke. All of the schools that were recruiting me are big programs, but in terms of my development and the relationships that I built with the coaches, were the best.
Maluach, projected by ESPN as the third pick in the 2025 NBA draft, is considered the best big man in the 2024 class, joining one of the most impressive recruiting classes assembled in recent memory by head coach Jon Scheyer. It also includes projected No. 1 pick Cooper Flagg and ESPN's No. 7, 18, 22 and 37 picks in Isaiah Evans, Patrick Ngongba, Kon Knueppel and Darren Harris.
Maluach chose Duke after taking official visits to Kentucky, Kansas and UCLA, as well as offers from G League Ignite and the Australian NBL's Next Stars program. He will lead the world team at the Nike Hoop Summit in Portland, Oregon, next month, giving him the opportunity to compete against Flagg, Ngongba and Evans for the first time.
“That will be something exciting. I hope it will be a great competition to face future teammates. After that, we will strengthen our bond. This is a great platform to showcase our talent.”
Maluach helped his native South Sudan qualify for the Paris Olympics this summer when he was 16, becoming one of the youngest players in FIBA World Cup history.
He was MVP of the NBA's Basketball Without Borders (BWB) African camp last summer, and then was named playoff and defensive MVP at the BWB Global camp in Indianapolis during All-Star weekend last month.
“I'm trying to get better with every stop I make,” Maluach said. “That's my main goal. To always be 1 percent better than yesterday. To stay close to God to stay healthy and keep my process clean. I pray every day to keep my journey safe and keep pushing myself daily.”
Maluach, who will turn 18 in September, has only played basketball for five years, but has improved rapidly since joining the NBA Academy Africa in 2021. He is a competent shooter and emphatic finisher who displays coveted defensive versatility covering ground in the perimeter and blocking. shots with excellent timing. He measured a reach of 9-foot-8 in Indianapolis last month, which would eclipse the numbers posted by stalwarts Victor Wembanyama and Rudy Gobert before they entered the NBA.
“I use that length to block shots, get rebounds and shoot the ball whenever I can. I love watching basketball. I watch Giannis a lot. [Antetokounmpo], Joel Embiid. Victor. Chet [Holmgren]. Antonio Davis. I look at everyone. “I try to see what the players are good at and learn from them.”
Maluach is considered the top prospect to emerge from the NBA Academy Africa, established in 2017, and hopes to become the first graduate of the program to be selected.
“The NBA Academy has played an important role in my development,” Maluach said. “They made me realize my potential, how good I can be and how great I'm going to be. They developed my body and my mental side, on and off the court. I built relationships with coaches, players and staff. It's a long list of people from different countries in Africa, who are also trying to put Africa on the map. I want to be remembered as someone who gave his best. Who represented Africa, my country, my family and also the NBA Academy.”
The NBA currently has four academies: in Delhi, India; San Luis Potosí, Mexico; and Saly, Senegal; as well as its Global Academy in Canberra, Australia, which serves as a hub for elite prospects.
NBA Global Academy alumnus Josh Giddey was the No. 6 pick in the 2021 NBA draft, while Bennedict Mathurin (NBA Academy Latin America) and Dyson Daniels (Global) were selected sixth and eighth, respectively, in the 2022 NBA draft. Olivier-Maxence Prosper (Latin America) was selected 24th overall in 2023.
Jonathan Givony is an NBA draft expert and founder and co-owner of DraftExpress.com, a private scouting and analysis service used by NBA, NCAA and international teams.
