27.06.2025 17:00
Maluach, who fled the conflicts in South Sudan and is living in a refugee camp in Uganda, made his way to the NBA with his discovered talent. He was selected by the Houston Rockets as the 13th pick in the first round of the NBA Draft. His draft rights were transferred to the Suns in a major trade that included Kevin Durant. The 2.18-meter tall player made history as the first African basketball player to be drafted into the NBA from the top tier NBA Africa Academy.
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Young basketball phenomenon Khaman Maluach, born in South Sudan, was selected by the Houston Rockets in the 2025 NBA Draft, but after a trade that took place post-draft, he headed to the Phoenix Suns. Maluach, who opened a new chapter in his story that stretches from a refugee camp to the world's most prestigious basketball league, will wear the jersey of the Arizona team in the new season.
FROM UGANDA TO NBA ACADEMY
Maluach's life changed when his talent was discovered in a refugee camp after fleeing the conflicts in his country with his family to seek refuge in Uganda during his childhood.
This discovery took him first to the NBA's "Basketball Without Borders" camp and then to the NBA Academy Africa in Senegal, which nurtures the continent's best young talents.
WORE THE NATIONAL JERSEY AT THE FIBA WORLD CUP AT 16
Maluach's star quickly rose with his development at the academy. Noticing his physical maturity and potential, Maluach became one of the youngest players in the tournament by being part of the South Sudan National Team at the 2023 FIBA World Cup when he was just 16 years old.
This early national team experience was the greatest proof that he could play at a high level.
DOUBLE-DIGIT PERFORMANCE AT DUKE
After his successful performance at the NBA Academy Africa, the young player headed to one of the giants of college basketball, Duke University (Blue Devils).
In his rookie year playing for Duke in the 2024-2025 season, he stood out with his physical presence, rebounding, and especially shot-blocking ability. Maluach demonstrated the maturity needed to enter the NBA Draft a season later by achieving double-digit points and rebounds averages per game.
PART OF A MAJOR TRADE
One of the biggest moves of the NBA's summer of 2025, the Kevin Durant trade, also changed Maluach's fate.
In a three-team trade involving the Houston Rockets, Phoenix Suns, and Brooklyn Nets; Kevin Durant moved from the Brooklyn Nets to the Houston Rockets, while Devin Booker and Jalen Duren joined the Houston Rockets from the Phoenix Suns. Khaman Maluach, who had the 13th pick in the draft for the Houston Rockets, along with multiple future first-round draft picks, was traded to the Phoenix Suns.
As a result of this trade, Maluach, who wore a Rockets cap on draft night, officially joined the Phoenix Suns.
A PILLAR OF DEFENSE IN THE SUNS' YOUNG ROSTER
As the Phoenix Suns reshaped their roster following the star player Kevin Durant trade, Khaman Maluach was presented as an important investment for the future.
With his height of 2.18 meters, long arms, and impressive mobility, Maluach possesses everything a good defender needs, and he is expected to be a critical defensive and rebounding force for the Suns' young roster in the coming years.
THE YOUNGEST AFRICAN SELECTED IN THE NBA DRAFT
Maluach also earned the title of the youngest African player selected from an African academy in NBA draft history last night. Maluach's success and his journey that will continue with the Phoenix Suns is not only a personal achievement but also a symbol of the rise of South Sudan and African basketball on the world stage, as well as the success of the NBA's talent development programs in Africa.
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