With the 2025 NBA Draft class settled, there are rather obvious prospects who will top the discussion.
This year, the undoubted number one pick was Duke’s Cooper Flagg. Flagg has long been considered one of the best young players in basketball.
However, every year it is the aptly named “lottery” that provides an NBA team with “steals.” Prominent examples of this include Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Myles Turner. Both played in the NBA Finals this past season.
This year’s class has a lot to talk about in the lottery. There are questions surrounding Rutgers teammates Dylan Harper and Ace Bailey. Baylor guard VJ Edgecombe, drafted by the 76ers, could end up becoming the steal of the draft. Many wonder if Flagg’s teammate Kon Kneuppel can become more than just an elite shooter in Charlotte.
But the most interesting prospect this year has to be another one of Flagg’s teammates. This is, of course, Khaman Maluach.
Rags to Riches
Maluach’s story is incredible, one of perseverance in a difficult situation. Maluach was born in the war-torn country of South Sudan. South Sudan gained independence from Sudan in 2011. As part of this independence process, Maluach’s childhood home became endangered, to say the least. In 2013, South Sudan fell into civil war, which lasted until 2018. This caused Maluach’s family to immigrate to Kampala, Uganda, at a young age.
Torn from his childhood home, Maluach would find another one in Kampala. It also kick-started his basketball career. He attended Luol Deng’s basketball camp in 2019, a life-changing opportunity. To say he caught Deng’s attention would be an understatement. Deng would later state, “The first time I saw Khaman, I saw so much potential.”
By turning Deng’s head, Maluach was able to get a shot at the NBA Academy Africa. NBA Academy Africa is an elite basketball training center in Senegal. This would prove to be an incredible blessing for Khaman. After gaining admission, he tore the academy up. Frank Traore, the head of NBA Academy Africa, stated, “The way Khaman learns – he’s brilliant. He’s a student of the game, but what separates him is his mental toughness.”
Budding Stardom and International Opportunities
Maluach would play professionally in Africa as part of the BAL Elevate Program. He would start as a minor contributor. Nevertheless, by the end of his third season, he was the star of his team, the Uganda City Oilers. He would also win the MVP of Basketball without Borders in Africa in 2023 and the Defensive MVP of BWB Global 2024.
While many schools were interested in Maluach, he committed to Duke. As a Blue Devil, he teamed up with the best prospect in his class, Cooper Flagg. At Duke, he00 averaged a solid 8.6 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks in just 21.3 minutes per game.
Maluach’s real breakout would happen on the world stage, however. He would help South Sudan qualify for the Olympic Men’s Basketball tournament in Paris. The real kicker: he was the youngest player in the tournament. South Sudan would nearly upset the loaded Team USA squad in the Olympic exhibition games. Playing against LeBron James, Steph Curry, Kevin Durant, and the rest of a star-studded cast, Maluach recorded seven points, three rebounds, and one block off the bench.
The Future
Maluach is now heading to the Phoenix Suns as the tenth pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. By doing so, he fills a need the Suns have had since they traded Deandre Ayton.
Playing with Devin Booker will allow Maluach to develop his game at a high level. As a high-energy athlete, Maluach’s versatility and defensive prowess give him the tools to be a good center in the NBA. His 7-foot-2 stature and 7-foot-7 wingspan, however, give him the ability to be the best center in the NBA.
Moreover, he offers hope to numerous future African NBA players. After he was drafted, he stated that his goal was in “giving hope to young kids, inspiring young kids, the next generation of African basketball.”
Maluach isn’t just chasing greatness— he is opening doors for the next generation to follow.
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