Beyond the Hardwood: Khaman Maluach 'grateful' for his hoops future
Khaman Maluach says he aims to inspire basketball players across Africa and grow his own game, too.
Khaman Maluach’s dorm on the NBA Academy Africa campus is modest. A few posters from recruiting visits, a wall fan and his South Sudan national team jersey (bearing his No. 6) hang on the wall.
A deep exhale and an even bigger smile grace the face of the 17-year-old phenom before the Zoom interview. Despite embarking on a world basketball tour in the past few months, Maluach’s cheerful focus can be felt through the screen.
That professional demeanor is part of why the 7-foot-2 player is improving rapidly and the basketball world is taking notice.
“I’m holding up because of everything that’s happening,” Maluach, a 2024-25 Duke commit, said with a grin. “I’m so grateful for all the tournaments I’ve been in. I use every stop to get better and I’m so excited for what the future holds, especially with the summer.”
The summer may entail Maluach suiting up for the Royal Ivey-led South Sudan National team. However, 15-year NBA veteran Luol Deng — the country’s federation president — must slice the roster to 12 players come July.
Regardless, what Maluach is accomplishing in a short amount of time is pioneering.
In conjunction with NBA All-Star Weekend in Indianapolis back in February, he took home playoff and defensive MVP honors at the Basketball Without Borders global camp. The following months included starter stints at the Nike Hoops Summit in Portland, NBA Academy Africa Showcase in Senegal and competing with the Basketball Africa League’s City Oilers. Maluach averaged 18 points, 13.5 rebounds and three blocks in his third season of BAL play.
“The way Khaman learns — he’s brilliant,” said NBA Academy Africa’s head of basketball operations Franck Traore.
“All it took for him was to understand the meaning of [concepts] such as rim protecting, rebounding, and finishing around the rim. He’s a student of the game but what separates him is his mental toughness.”
Intentional Development
Maluach joined NBA Academy Africa in Senegal following its 2018 opening.
Established in 2010, the NBA Academy is a year-round basketball development initiative providing elite international high school prospects an integrated approach to player development. Within the broader Academy structure, the initiative also includes market-specific academies in Australia, India, Mexico and Senegal for top prospects in these respective regions.
NBA Academy Africa — in Saly, Senegal — opened in November 2018. The facility is a haven to engage the youth in academic, athletic and leadership programs. In 2021, the staff was sent a profile of the-then 6-foot-7, 13-year-old Maluach of Uganda.
“His coach, who was part of our scouting and coaching network, sent us iPhone videos for us to see him,” Traore said. “We got the green light to invite Khaman to the tryout and when he came, you could tell the drive he had … We knew giving him the platform, he was going to make the most of it.”
In Africa, especially with big men, the perception has been players are often strong, athletic, highly-motored … and lacking refined offensive skills. Traore and the Africa Academy staff have used this to motivate their players, doubling down on individual drill work (otherwise known as vitamins) and skill development.
A still-growing 7-foot-2 Maluach has been the beneficiary of the Academy’s consistent coaching, as he’s starting to show promise outside of the paint with his skillset.
“There were ups and downs but he’s stayed put,” Traore said when speaking of Maluach’s development. “You need to be disciplined and committed to be at the level where he is and I think the Academy provided that style for him.”
Future Promise, Present Focus
Maluach officially committed to play at Duke in the 2024-25 season in late April.
Hakeem Olajuwon, Manute Bol, Dikembe Mutombo, Joel Embiid and Pascal Siakam are a few names that come to mind when the NBA and Africa are mentioned. Maluach hopes to be mentioned in that same breath someday.
“I think about it all the time,” Maluach said when asked if he thinks he can be the best player ever from Africa. “At the end of the day, my job is to remain humble and get better every day.”
Chris Ebersole leads International Basketball Development efforts at the NBA. Before Maluach’s commitment to Duke in March, Ebersole was able to spend time with him during the recruitment process.
“You can’t help but be impressed with how he carries himself,” Ebersole said. “Sounds like a small thing, but everyone on our staff, he addresses them by their name. For a 16-, now 17-year-old kid who’s speaking his fourth language, it’s extremely unusual.”
This respect and maturity were also demonstrated when considering UCLA, Kansas and Kentucky, among others, in the recruiting process. Fore each program considered, he watched every game … even if that meant waking up at 4 a.m. in Saly before working out and attending class.
Ebersole also helps oversee strategy for Basketball Without Borders camps, the NBA and FIBA’s global basketball development and community outreach program. BWB camps have housed the likes of Embiid, Siakam, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jamal Murray and Lauri Markkanen.
“We’ve had lots of really talented basketball players and Khaman ranks up there with any of them in terms of how he impacts basketball,” Ebersole said.
Maluach has turned into a highly sought-after NBA prospect.
Maluach’s thoroughness and ability to compartmentalize should serve him well when playing for Duke coach Jon Scheyer. With a recruiting class that boasts four other prospects rated in the top 75, Maluach will be an effective shot-blocker, screener and finisher, all while he works on his perimeter jumper.
“I’m a defensive guy,” Maluach said when describing his game. “I rebound, I block shots, and I bring energy. On offense, whether it’s shooting, dunking, or initiating the offense, I believe I can do it all.”
Character comes up often from coaches, agents and peers when talking about Maluach. On the court, several front office executives are confident he can have a long, successful NBA career (given he’s only been playing organized basketball since 2020).
Aside from reaching his basketball goals, he has a clear vision for Africa.
“I want to make opportunities so kids can start the game of basketball at a very early age, so they can adapt to the game and know the game more,” Maluach said. “Not only will I do it in South Sudan, but the continent. This will inspire other kids and have an impact on their lives, so they can change their families’ lives too.”
