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22h ago

Duke’s Khaman Maluach Declares for NBA Draft, Completing Freshman Exodus

The 7-foot-2 South Sudanese center is a projected lottery pick, leaving Duke without its top six players from a 35-4 Final Four season.

Apr 4, 2025; San Antonio, TX, USA; Duke Blue Devils center Khaman Maluach (9) during a practice session for the Final Four of the 2025 NCAA tournament at Alamodome. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images/File Photo
Khaman Maluach. Mandatory Credit: Zachary Taft-Imagn Images

Overview

  • Khaman Maluach, an 18-year-old freshman center from South Sudan, has officially declared for the 2025 NBA Draft, joining teammates Cooper Flagg and Kon Knueppel as early entrants.
  • Maluach averaged 8.6 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks per game during his standout one-and-done season, showcasing elite defensive skills and potential offensive growth.
  • His decision marks the departure of all six of Duke’s top-minute players from a team that reached the NCAA Final Four this season, significantly reshaping the program’s roster.
  • Maluach, a former NBA Academy Africa standout and 2024 Paris Olympian, faces uncertainty regarding his U.S. visa status following a recent policy change affecting South Sudanese passport holders.
  • Duke coach Jon Scheyer praised Maluach’s competitiveness and work ethic, emphasizing his long-term potential as he prepares for the June NBA Draft.