Khaman Maluach commits to Duke, giving Blue Devils 2 of the top 3 projected NBA picks in 2025

By ADAM ZAGORIA

Khaman Maluach, the 7-foot-2 center from South Sudan and NBA Academy Africa, committed to Duke on Wednesday, giving the Blue Devils two of the top three projected NBA Draft picks in 2025.

Cooper Flagg is the projected No. 1 pick, per ESPN.com, while Maluach is No. 3. Duke also has the projected No. 13 pick in Isaiah Evans, No. 30 in Tyrese Proctor, No. 41 in Caleb Foster and No. 56 in Mark Mitchell.

“Duke is home, that’s where I belong.” Maluach told ESPN.com. “This was the hardest decision I’ve ever made. I felt like I could succeed anywhere, but I was most comfortable going to Duke. All the schools that were recruiting me are big-time programs, but in terms of my development and the relationships I built with the coaches, they were the best.”

Projected 2025 NBA Draft picks for @DukeMBB per @DraftExpress :

No. 1 – Cooper Flagg
No. 3 – Khaman Maluach
No. 13 – Isaiah Evans
No. 30 – Tyrese Proctor
No. 41 – Caleb Foster
No. 56 – Mark Mitchell https://t.co/gtIgpok0py

— Adam Zagoria (@AdamZagoria) March 6, 2024

Former Duke star Luol Deng is the GM of the South Sudan Olympic team, for which Maluach will play this summer.

Maluach, who was named the MVP of the Basketball Without Borders Camp at the NBA All-Star Game, also considered Kentucky, Kansas, UCLA and the NBA G League. He turns 18 in September.

“I’m trying to get better every stop I’m on,” Maluach told ESPN. “That’s my main goal. To always be 1% better than yesterday. Staying close to God to keep me healthy and keep my process clean. I pray every day to keep my journey safe and keep pushing me daily.”

THIS FRONTCOURT IS FRIGHTENING 🫣 @Cooper_Flagg @khaman_maluach pic.twitter.com/7H6iAx4ath

— Overtime (@overtime) March 6, 2024

Blair Academy (N.J.) coach Joe Mantegna has coached Maluach with the South Sudan national team and will serve as an assistant coach with South Sudan in next summer’s Paris Olympics.

“He has a chance to be the next Joel Embiid,” Mantegna said. “He’s 7-foot-2, he’s a fluid athlete, he plays with an unbelievable edge and he has a really high skill level and IQ,.

“I mean, he’s been playing at the highest level for a long time, he understands the game deeply and he has a remarkable competitive edge.

“If he goes to college, he’s going to be a game-changer day one upon arrival.”

Photo: ESPN

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