South Sudanese basketball player Khaman Maluach made history in the 2025 NBA Draft by becoming the first NBA Academy Africa graduate to be selected in the first round. The 7-foot-2 center was picked by the Phoenix Suns following a major trade involving Kevin Durant, marking a pivotal moment for both Maluach and the franchise. His selection highlights the growing impact of African talent on the NBA stage as Maluach prepares to join Devin Booker and other Suns teammates.
From Refugee Beginnings to NBA Dreams
Khaman Maluach’s journey is marked by resilience and determination. Born in Rumbek, South Sudan, in 2006, his family fled civil war and settled in Kawempe, Uganda, where he was raised alongside his mother and siblings. At the time, Uganda offered limited basketball infrastructure, but the sport’s local growth paralleled Maluach’s own development. A chance encounter with a motorcyclist, who noticed his remarkable height and encouraged him to try basketball, set Maluach on his path to professional success.
He was like, ‘Yo, you should start playing basketball. In three to four years, you’ll be such a tall person’,
Maluach recalled during the 2024 Olympics.
Early Development and Breakthrough Opportunities
At age 13, Maluach joined Luol Deng’s basketball camp in Uganda. This opportunity led to him becoming the youngest player to enroll at NBA Academy Africa in Senegal at just 14 years old. The academy’s disciplined environment refined his skills and character, preparing him for higher levels of competition. By 15, he was playing with South Sudan’s Cobra Sport through the BAL Elevate program, showcasing his talents in front of international scouts.
Achievements in International and Collegiate Basketball
Maluach’s career milestones continued in 2023 when he was named MVP at the Basketball Without Borders Africa camp. The same year, he made history as South Sudan’s youngest player to compete in the FIBA Basketball World Cup. His performance in the Africa Champions Clubs Road to BAL qualifiers was exceptional, averaging 21 points and 15.5 rebounds in two critical games.
In 2024, the NBA Academy Africa placed him with the City Oilers in Uganda, where he further honed his skills despite limited playing time due to the league’s veteran presence. Luol Deng, now president of the South Sudan Basketball Federation, invited Maluach to represent South Sudan at the 2024 Paris Olympics, offering another stage for his relentless progress.
A Significant Encounter with Devin Booker
An unexpected but meaningful moment occurred during the 2024 Olympics when Maluach met Devin Booker, who would soon become his Phoenix Suns teammate. While neither fully realized the future connection then, Booker’s encouragement made a lasting impact on the young center.
We had dinner, and I went to say what’s up to him at his table,
Maluach explained.
He told me, ‘Go do it.’ Then he shook my hand and said, ‘I’ll see you in a year.’ I knew he meant the NBA. Now I’ll see him with the Phoenix Suns. I’ll be his teammate.
Strong Freshman Season at Duke University
Maluach’s freshman season at Duke solidified his position as an emerging NBA-ready talent. Starting every game, he contributed significantly to the Blue Devils by helping win both the ACC regular-season and tournament championships. His consistent performance led Duke to the National Championship game. Statistically, he averaged 8.6 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks per game, shooting an efficient 71.2% from the field and 76.6% from the free-throw line.
Draft Night and the Phoenix Suns’ Strategic Focus
On the night of the 2025 NBA Draft, Maluach’s selection within the Durant trade underscored the Suns’ strategy to strengthen their frontcourt. As a young, tall, and skilled center, he is expected to bolster Phoenix’s depth, complementing established players like Booker and Dillon Brooks. Maluach’s rise from basketball programs in Africa to the NBA exemplifies the expanding global reach of the sport and the continued emergence of African players at the highest level.
Looking Forward: A Promising Career with the Suns
Joining the Suns places Maluach alongside the player who inspired him with encouraging words at the 2024 Olympics, marking a personal and professional milestone. Beyond individual aspirations, he carries the hopes of his family, his South Sudanese and Ugandan communities, and the next generation of African basketball players. His journey serves as a powerful reminder of basketball’s potential to transform lives worldwide, and with the Suns, Maluach’s promising career is just beginning.
This is one of the best days of my life. I didn’t think I was going to cry, but I did. I’m excited to put on a Suns jersey with my name on the back and step on the floor.
—Khaman Maluach, NBA Draft Pick