(Juba) – South Sudanese basketball sensation Khaman Maluach is among the leading prospects in this year’s National Basketball Association (NBA) Draft, drawing global attention to a country better known for producing world-class distance runners than professional basketball players. His name now features prominently alongside fellow freshman standout Derik Queen of Maryland as top contenders among a relatively short list of big men entering the 2025 NBA draft.
Maluach, a 7-foot-1 (2.16m), 253-pound (115kg) centre who played for Duke University in the United States, impressed scouts during this year’s NCAA tournament. He helped lead his team to the Final Four, showing strong defensive skills, rim protection, and elite athleticism. One of his standout traits is a 7-foot-6¾ wingspan (about 2.31m), which gives him a major advantage in shot-blocking and perimeter defence. He also boasts a shooting accuracy of 89.4 percent in pick-and-roll situations, making him an ideal target for alley-oops and fast breaks.
Though still developing his full offensive game, Maluach has demonstrated shooting potential with a respectable 76.6 percent free-throw rate and four successful three-point shots during the season. Analysts suggest that if he improves his touch around the basket and builds on his shooting range, he could become one of the most complete centres of his generation. His rise is a point of pride for South Sudan, which continues to build a reputation in international basketball through players like Luol Deng and the national team’s strong FIBA performances.
Derik Queen, standing at 6-foot-9 (2.06m) and weighing 248 pounds (112kg), is another top contender. The Maryland forward averaged 16.5 points and 9.0 rebounds per game in college, gaining attention for his ability to score in the post and fight for offensive rebounds. Like Maluach, Queen also shot 76.6 percent from the free-throw line and showed promise in passing. However, scouts remain cautious about his defensive skills and his ability to match up against bigger, quicker players in the NBA. His three-point shooting rate, currently at just 20 percent, is seen as a key area for improvement.
The list of draft-eligible big men this year is not deep, which could push both Maluach and Queen into lottery picks — the top 14 selections in the NBA draft. For South Sudanese sports fans, this could mean another young athlete stepping onto the world stage, possibly securing a multi-million-dollar contract and inspiring a new generation at home.
Several other big men are in the draft pool. Asa Newell from Georgia is known for his athleticism and defensive versatility. Georgetown’s Thomas Sorber brings a strong physical presence and defensive upside. Rasheer Fleming of Saint Joseph’s improved his three-point shooting to 39 percent and is expected to be a late first-round pick. Michigan’s Danny Wolf, Stanford’s Maxime Raynaud, and France’s Joan Beringer have also shown promise with strong stats in points and rebounds.
Other names include Hansen Yang from China, who combines size with shooting ability; Ryan Kalkbrenner of Creighton, known for his 14.5-point average and shot-blocking; Yanic Konan Niederhauser from Penn State; and Auburn’s Johni Broome, who averaged nearly 11 rebounds and over 2 blocks per game.
But all eyes in South Sudan are on Maluach, whose story from a country rebuilding after years of conflict to the polished hardwood of Duke University has captured imaginations both at home and abroad. If selected high in the draft, he would follow in the footsteps of Luol Deng and Manute Bol, legends whose names still carry weight in NBA circles and South Sudanese households alike.
