(Juba) – Khaman Maluach, a rising basketball talent with roots in South Sudan, made history this week after being selected 10th overall in the 2025 NBA Draft. The 7 foot 2 centre, who was born in war torn Sudan and raised in Uganda, was chosen by the Houston Rockets before being included in a high profile trade that will send him to the Phoenix Suns.
The emotional moment unfolded on June 25 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, where NBA Commissioner Adam Silver announced Maluach’s name. Dressed in a Rockets cap due to the draft order, Maluach appeared visibly moved, holding back tears as he walked across the stage. The selection made him the highest drafted player from NBA Academy Africa, a development programme he attended before joining Duke University in the United States.
Though born in Sudan during a time of conflict, Maluach spent most of his early life in Uganda after his family fled the violence. He began playing basketball at age 14, after a local taxi driver noticed his towering height and encouraged him to try the sport.
After competing in the NBA Academy system, Maluach earned a scholarship to play for Duke University, where he started 39 games during the 2024–2025 season. He averaged 8.6 points, 6.6 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game, helping lead the team to the NCAA Final Four earlier this year.
He also played a significant role in South Sudan’s national basketball team, representing the country at the Paris Olympics, where they challenged top teams including the United States. His international presence and skill have made him a symbol of hope for South Sudanese youth and aspiring African athletes.
“Living in Africa, I had the whole continent on my back,” Maluach told ESPN following the draft. “I’m here representing the whole continent—giving hope to young kids, inspiring the next generation of African basketball.”
His move to the Phoenix Suns is part of a broader trade deal reported by ESPN, which is expected to send veteran star Kevin Durant to the Houston Rockets. The transaction is still pending final confirmation. However, during a press conference after the draft, Maluach appeared in a Suns hat and confirmed his enthusiasm about joining the Arizona-based team.
“I’m excited to put on the Phoenix jersey that has my name, that has ‘Maluach’ on the back,” he said. “I’m excited to play for the Suns and step on the floor.”
The news of Maluach’s selection has drawn attention across Africa, particularly in South Sudan, where sports are often seen as a unifying force in a country still recovering from civil conflict.
His journey from refugee life to the global stage of the NBA has already inspired many, both within South Sudan and across the wider African continent.
