At just 18 years old, Khaman Maluach has made history by becoming the highest selected player to come out of the NBA Academy Africa. Selected 10th overall in the 2025 Draft, the young South Sudanese centre will play for the Phoenix Suns in a trade that was part of the trade that sent Kevin Durant to the Houston Rockets.
Born in Rumbek (South Sudan) and raised in a refugee camp in Kampala (Uganda), Maluach discovered basketball at the age of 13 thanks to the fortuitous recommendation of a motorbike taxi driver. Just a year later, he joined the NBA's African academy, where his physical talent and rapid progression made him an unstoppable prospect.
His development was meteoric. In 2023 he was elected MVP of the prestigious Basketball Without Borders camp, and shortly after he made his debut in the Basketball Africa League (BAL), being the youngest player to play in that tournament. In the United States, he completed an outstanding season with the Duke Blue Devils, averaging 8.6 points, 6.6 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game, and leading his team to the NCAA Final Four.
During the draft ceremony, held at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, Maluach could not hold back tears. "I am here representing the entire African continent. This is just the beginning," he told the media emotionally.
His election is not only a personal achievement, but also a milestone for African basketball. Maluach becomes a symbol of hope for thousands of young people on the continent who dream of reaching the elite despite the difficulties.
At 2.16 metres tall and with a wingspan of over 2.90 metres, Maluach arrives in the NBA as a project with enormous defensive potential. The Suns are betting on his development and his ability to become a key player in the coming years.
Source: nba.com; aljazeera.com