Overview
- He was taken by Phoenix with the 10th overall pick in a deal that brought Kevin Durant to Houston.
- Maluach honed his game after fleeing conflict in South Sudan, developing at NBA Academy Africa and excelling in the Basketball Africa League before starring at Duke.
- He posted 8.6 points, 6.6 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game as a freshman Blue Devil, shooting 71.2% from the field.
- As a Phoenix Suns draftee he will qualify for a P1 athlete visa, sidestepping the B1 visa complications he would have faced in Toronto.
- His combination of 7-foot-2 size, rim protection and professional experience aligns with the NBA’s renewed premium on versatile big men.