From Soccer Fields to NBA Dreams: The Unbelievable Rise of Duke’s Khaman Maluach
Khaman Maluach’s journey to basketball stardom reads like a Hollywood script — one that begins on the dusty soccer fields of South Sudan and now finds him on the cusp of becoming a lottery pick in the 2025 NBA Draft.
Standing 7-foot-2 with a 7-foot-5 wingspan, Maluach is a physical marvel. But just a few years ago, he had no plans of becoming a basketball star. Born in 2006 in South Sudan, Maluach grew up playing soccer, like many of his peers. “Basketball wasn’t really on my mind,” he told reporters in a recent interview. “I was all about football — that’s what we called it. I wanted to be a goalkeeper.”
That all changed when a local coach spotted him and suggested he try basketball. His height made him stand out immediately, but it was his raw athleticism and coordination — honed from years on the soccer field — that truly caught the eye of scouts. Soon, Maluach was recruited to join the NBA Academy Africa, an elite training program designed to develop the continent’s top prospects.
Under the Academy’s guidance, Maluach transformed. His footwork, sharpened by soccer, translated well to defensive rotations and low-post agility. Combined with natural shot-blocking instincts and a rapidly developing shooting touch, he began to dominate youth tournaments across Africa and beyond. By 2023, he was already being discussed as one of the top international prospects in his class.
In 2024, Maluach committed to Duke University, instantly raising the Blue Devils’ ceiling for the 2024–25 season. With a reputation for grooming elite NBA talent, Duke’s program provides the perfect platform for Maluach to refine his skills and showcase them on a national stage.
“He’s not just a big guy who blocks shots,” said Duke head coach Jon Scheyer. “He runs the floor like a wing, has a soft shooting touch, and sees the game like a point guard. His upside is off the charts.”
As the 2025 NBA Draft approaches, Maluach is widely projected to be a top-5 selection, with scouts praising his motor, defensive versatility, and rapidly improving offensive game. What makes his story even more remarkable is the speed of his rise — from picking up a basketball for the first time only a few years ago to being a cornerstone for one of college basketball’s biggest programs.
But for Maluach, it’s about more than personal glory. “I want to inspire kids back home,” he said. “To show them it’s possible, no matter where you start.”
With a humble heart and limitless potential, Khaman Maluach is not just a rising basketball star — he’s a symbol of what happens when talent meets .
