Khaman Maluach’s journey began in South Sudan, but the devastating civil war forced him, his mother, and his brothers to seek refuge in neighboring Uganda when he was just a child. Growing up in this challenging environment, basketball wasn’t even on his radar. Instead, he spent most of his time immersed in soccer, never imagining that one day, he’d be playing a different sport that would change his life.

In just five years of playing basketball, 17-year-old Maluach has made remarkable strides. Standing out with his incredible 7-foot-5 wingspan, he’s shown rapid improvement since joining the NBA Academy Africa in 2021. Guided by the mentorship of Luol Deng—a former Duke standout. Maluach, committed to Duke on March 6, joining an impressive group of future Blue Devils, including five-star recruit Cooper Flagg, and has been amazing so far. Here’s everything you need to know about Duke’s X tall star.

Maluach’s Journey: From Uganda to Duke and Beyond

Maluach grew up in Kawempe, a town on the outskirts of Kampala, Uganda’s capital. The area is known for its challenges, but it’s also a place of resilience and strong community spirit. He spent most of his time with his mother, six siblings, and relatives from his mother’s side, as his father was often in South Sudan. Despite the distance, his family remained close-knit, providing him with a strong support system.

Luol Deng invited Maluach to a basketball camp, and it didn’t take long for him to fall in love with the game. He taught himself by watching YouTube videos of his favorite players—Giannis Antetokounmpo, Kevin Durant, and Joel Embiid. Like Maluach, they’re all Olympians, towering 7-footers, known for their versatile skill sets that he hoped to emulate.

Maluach made history as the youngest player ever to join an NBA Academy, surpassing even standout alumni like top-10 NBA Draft picks Josh Giddey, Dyson Daniels, and Bennedict Mathurin. From that point, Maluach’s game took off he became agile and fluid on the court, developing a reliable 3-point shot along with a polished back-to-the-basket game.

Maluach quickly rose to the ranks of a five-star prospect, earning offers from top programs like UCLA, Kentucky, Kansas, and nearly every basketball powerhouse in the country. In the end, he decided to take his talents to Duke.

Before heading to Duke, Maluach had a bigger mission: representing his country on the global stage. At just 16 years old, he earned a spot on South Sudan’s FIBA World Cup team last summer, helping the Bright Stars secure their first-ever Olympic berth. As the youngest player ever to compete in the tournament, he made history and quickly became a key part of the squad. In Paris, he held his own against some of the game’s biggest stars—where he faced off against one of his idols, Joel Embiid.

During his time at Duke, Khaman Maluach earned a spot on the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Center of the Year Top 20 Preseason Watch List, recognizing his potential. He made an immediate impact in his college career, recording his first double-double with 11 points and 14 rebounds against Army West Point on November 8. Just a few days later, he hits five field goals in back-to-back games against Kentucky and Wofford, scoring in double figures in both, showcasing his growing skill and consistency.

As of December 2024, On3’s data estimates Khaman Maluach’s NIL deal valuation at $1 million. Despite this impressive figure, he hasn’t signed any endorsement deals with brands yet.

Deng’s Mentorship and Maluach’s Vision for Africa

One of the key figures in Maluach’s development as an international player has been Luol Deng. The former Chicago Bulls and Great Britain forward, who was born in what is now South Sudan and raised in London, has played a pivotal role in guiding Maluach’s growth on and off the court. Since 2019, Luol Deng has served as president of South Sudan’s basketball federation and has been deeply impressed by the professionalism and mental toughness Maluach displays.

With Khaman, I see a lot of myself in him,” he told BBC Sport Africa. “I’ve been around a lot of players [and] noise will distract them and stop them from their greatness. For him, he wants it. He knows what it takes to achieve it, and that’s what makes him unique.”

Last year, at just 16 years old, Maluach played a key role in helping South Sudan qualify for the Olympics for the first time through the FIBA World Cup. He hopes that the Bright Stars’ performances at Paris 2024 will inspire others across Africa to recognize and pursue their potential.

“My long-term goal is putting Africa on the map, getting a lot of opportunities for kids because Africa has a lot of undiscovered talent,” he said. “All they need is an opportunity and a chance. I believe kids in my country are motivated and this Olympic thing is going to bring all of us together.”

Khaman Maluach’s journey from Uganda to Duke is a testament to his incredible talent and relentless drive. With the guidance of Luol Deng, he’s rapidly making a name for himself in basketball.