Overview
Khaman Maluach played professionally in South Sudan for three seasons and was named the 2023 Basketball Without Borders MVP before attending Duke during the 2024-25 campaign. In his lone collegiate campaign, Maluach earned ACC All-Freshman Team honors after averaging 8.6 points, 6.6 rebounds and 1.3 blocks in 21.3 minutes per game. The defensive-minded big man posted 71/25/77 shooting splits on low volume for the Blue Devils, who lost in the Final Four to Houston.
Analysis
Maluach didn’t showcase much of an offensive repertoire at Duke and was limited to hanging around the dunker’s spot waiting for lobs, dunks or putbacks. He showed a willingness to let open jumpers fly, and while the mechanics looked fine, the results were not there. Defense is where Maluach really thrives. At 7-foot-2, Maluach has the size and length to be an elite defender in the NBA, but he’ll have to work on his technique to stay out of foul trouble at the next level.
Quotable
“He’s not afraid of contact. Really, he should be in high school still. To play with that level of physicality and readiness is unique, and for Khaman to make that adjustment to college so quickly is incredibly impressive. His best years are by far in front of him.” — Duke head coach Jon Scheyer
Some stats & tidbits
Maluach, who was born in South Sudan and grew up in Uganda, started playing basketball at age 13 … Joined NBA Academy Africa at 14 … Drew inspiration by watching YouTube videos of Giannis Antetokounmpo … Was named MVP of the 2023 Basketball Without Borders Africa camp in Johannesburg … Shot 84% (21-for-25) from the field in five games in the 2025 NCAA Tournament.
Projection
Donovan Clingan (7-2, 280) is the most recent player who shares similarities with Maluach, but the Duke product also draws comparisons to Hassan Whiteside (7-0, 265) and Mo Bamba (7-0, 231). Zach Edey (7-4, 305) is much bigger than Maluach, but it’s worth noting that some scouts believe Maluach could develop a 3-point shot very quickly post-college like Edey did last season, which vaulted his draft stock. Maluach is a developmental project with a high floor given his defensive projections.
— Profile by RotoWire.com