From the dusty highways of Uganda's refugee camps to the world spotlight of the NBA Draft, 18-year-old Sudanese big man Khaman Maluach captured hearts and headlines on 26 June 2025 as he was selected at the 10th pick by the Houston Rockets and traded to the Phoenix Suns. His journey, from war-torn South Sudan to Duke University stardom, is one of determination, grit, and sports' power to transform lives.
/*Daring Beginnings and War Time Escape*/
Maluach was born in Rumbek, South Sudan, in 2006. His early years were tainted by the civil war in his own country following independence. His family escaped circa 2013 to Kawempe, a refugee camp just outside Uganda's capital city, Kampala. It was here, during adversity and doubt, that Maluach stumbled upon his strange gift: being 7'2", a motorcyclist informed him, "You will be such a tall guy in three or four years," planting the seed which would alter his destiny.
/*Late Bloomer with Great Potential*/
Maluach didn't even start playing basketball until he was 13, participating in a camp organized by former NBA player Luol Deng in Uganda. Quickly rising through the ranks, he was included on the NBA Academy Africa in Senegal in 2021, before earning a scholarship to Duke University in 2024. There, he averaged 8.4 points, 5.3 rebounds, with shot-blocking potential and a strong 79% field goal ratio, according to college numbers. Coaches often liken him to a solar eclipse, possessing the power to make shots vanish at the rim.
/*Duke Career and Draft Night Glory*/
Maluach’s tenure at Duke offered rapid improvement. Coach Jon Scheyer praised his court vision: “He can guard one through five,” marking him as a defensive anchor. On 25 June, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver announced his selection by the Rockets, triggering an emotional response captured worldwide. “I’m here representing the whole continent of Africa,” Maluach declared, bowing his head in disbelief and wiping tears; a moment many described as “what sport is all about”.
/*An Icon of Hope and African Pride*/
Maluach's ascension mirrors that of the South Sudanese basketball internationally; he was the youngest South Sudanese in the 2023 FIBA World Cup squad and competed at the 2024 Paris Olympics. It has been inspired by African giants and NBA heroes like Giannis Antetokounmpo, who owes his journey as evidence that one's dreams can come true: "Sometimes it's OK to be delusional about your dreams and they end up happening". He is determined to motivate young Africans with his story and his first NBA cap, and his early coaches in Uganda.
/*Looking Ahead: Rookie Season and Global Impact*/
Now, on a Phoenix Suns roster rebuild, Maluach will be joining the NBA next season after Houston traded for his rights. With a nine-foot-six wingspan, he provides rim protection, rebounding, and untapped scoring ability. Away from the court, his arrival highlights the worth of the NBA Academy Africa and initiatives nurturing African prospects. He is dual-resident in South Sudan and Uganda; no small feat given current U.S. visa regulations, and his path may pave the way for other players with similar pedigrees in the future.