By Isiah Christie
South Sudan has a still-growing relationship with the National Basketball Association (NBA) – despite only ushering in a total of eleven players in the league’s 75-year history. It has, however, become a progressively larger hotspot for prospects amidst the 21st century’s international basketball boom. This has largely been a byproduct of multiple-time NBA All-Star player, Luol Deng, who represents the country with pride and has brought thorough basketball programs to it. His initiative’s most recent success is 10th overall pick in this year’s NBA draft, Khaman Maluach.
Born in Lakes State capital Rumbek, Maluach moved to Kawempe, Uganda as a refugee with his mother and siblings as a child. He did not have any natural interest in basketball, but at thirteen, he was encouraged to play by a local in awe of his height. He then went to a basketball camp of Luol Deng, where he committed to the sport further. Following success there and an enrollment in the education-athletics hybrid NBA Academy Africa, Maluach earned a reputation as a legitimate basketball prospect, ranked as the third-best of his draft class upon committing to the prestigious sports program at Duke University. He chose to wear number 9 on his jersey, in honor of Luol Deng who did the same.
Maluach was part of what was expected to be a historically good college team, also featuring top-rated prospects Cooper Flagg and Kon Knueppel. The 7’2” center was unexpectedly excellent in his role, averaging 8.6 points, 6.6 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game in the 2024-25 college season. His 51 total blocks for the year was also the most among any player in his conference, rendering him as a unique defensive prospect. Such remarkable talent was a major catalyst in his placement in the NBA draft lottery, which includes the fourteen best prospects entering the league.
On June 25, 2025, he was selected tenth overall in the NBA draft by the Houston Rockets. However, he was included as part of a trade for superstar Kevin Durant, of the Phoenix Suns. As a result, Maluach will begin his NBA career in Phoenix. He became the highest NBA Academy Africa selection of all-time, as well as the highest from his native Basketball Africa League (BAL). Maluach is expected to be one of his draft class’s most impactful rookies, as the Phoenix Suns are in desperate need of defensive specialists such as himself. He should also fill the team’s vacancy at the center position and is expected to play an immediate large role. Suns coach Jordan Ott, who is known for his chemistry with basketball big men, should also aid tremendously Maluach’s development.
With eyes on his development and potential, the 18-year-old is being closely watched as one of South Sudan’s next NBA greats, behind the likes of Deng, record-breaking icon Manute Bol, 2007 NBA Champion, Francisco Elson, and more. Considering Phoenix’s current instability amidst the NBA landscape, it is not expected that Maluach will enjoy much team success to start his career – but at his age, development is the focus, and he certainly has a promising ceiling and an entire continent behind him. And he’s already an inspiration for them all.
“It’s history, but there are a lot of Africans out there. And three to five years from now there will be a lot of Africans getting drafted,” Maluach said in an interview. Here’s to hoping the league’s international growth brings forth more stories of Maluach’s magnitude.
