Duke center Khaman Maluach has made his NBA Draft decision.
Like fellow freshmen Cooper Flagg and Kon Knueppel, he’s entering the professional ranks.
It’s an inspiring rise from Maluach, the 7-foot-2 center from South Sudan who is still just 18 years old.
He’s expected to be a top-10 pick.
Maluach played at the 2024 Paris Olympics for South Sudan, then started all 39 games for Duke.
He averaged 8.6 points, 6.6 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game in his lone season for the Blue Devils.
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As Duke played in the Final Four, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced a plan to revoke all visas held by people with a South Sudanese passport.
The Raleigh News & Observer writes that no action has been taken since then, but there also has been no announcement about a change of plans.
Maluach is the fifth and final Duke starter to depart.
Flagg, Knueppel and Tyrese Proctor are heading to the draft, and Sion James used up his collegiate eligibility.
Whatever NBA team lands Maluach will be getting a standout interior presence with still untapped upside. He’ll be well-worthy of a lottery selection in June.
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