(Juba) – South Sudanese basketball fans have a new reason to follow the NBA closely this upcoming season, as rising star Khaman Maluach has been traded to the Phoenix Suns, where he is expected to team up with fellow South Sudanese big man Bol Bol.
The trade was made shortly after Maluach was picked in the 2025 NBA Draft by the Houston Rockets. However, in a swift post-draft move, the Rockets agreed to send the 18 year old centre to the Suns in exchange for future assets, allowing Phoenix to bring together two of the tallest and most promising basketball talents from South Sudan.
This development has sparked excitement both in the United States and across South Sudan, where Maluach and Bol Bol enjoy growing popularity for their roles in elevating the country’s basketball reputation on the global stage.
Bol Bol, the son of South Sudanese basketball legend Manute Bol, has been with the Phoenix Suns since 2023. Known for his unique combination of height, agility, and shooting ability, Bol has shown flashes of brilliance in the NBA. The addition of Khaman Maluach, who stands at 7 feet 2 inches and is known for his defensive presence and shot-blocking skills, adds more depth and size to the Suns’ frontcourt.
The pairing is also being seen as a symbolic moment for South Sudanese sports. Both players are products of different paths—Bol was raised in the United States, while Maluach honed his skills with NBA Academy Africa and played in major international competitions representing South Sudan. Their joint presence in the Suns’ lineup marks the first time two players of South Sudanese descent will play side by side in the same NBA team at such a high level.
South Sudan Basketball Federation, the national governing body, issued a statement congratulating both athletes and encouraging youth across the country to pursue their sporting dreams. “This is a proud moment for the nation. Bol and Khaman represent the future of South Sudanese basketball. Their journey is an inspiration to all young people,” said a BSS spokesperson.
In recent years, South Sudan has made major strides in international basketball, including qualifying for the 2023 FIBA World Cup and securing a place in the 2024 Paris Olympics. The emergence of young stars like Maluach is being celebrated as a sign of the country’s growing sporting potential despite ongoing challenges back home.
Neither player’s contract value was disclosed in South Sudanese Pounds. However, rookie NBA contracts for first-round picks in 2025 are estimated to be worth up to $10 million over four years (equivalent to about 46.5 billion SSP at the official rate or 70 billion SSP in parallel markets).
Basketball fans in Juba, Wau, and across the diaspora are already sharing images and messages of support on social media. Many are hopeful the partnership will translate into on court success for the Suns, and raise the profile of South Sudanese talent globally.
