Faith Nyasuguta
South Sudanese basketball sensation Khaman Maluach has made history by being selected 10th overall in the 2025 NBA Draft held Wednesday night in Brooklyn, New York. At just 18, Maluach’s rise from humble beginnings to a top-10 pick shows how far African basketball talent has come in recent years.
The Houston Rockets selected Maluach but will send his draft rights to the Phoenix Suns in a planned trade. This makes him the highest-drafted former NBA Academy Africa and Basketball Africa League (BAL) player ever. He’s also the 12th player from the NBA Academy program to either be drafted or sign with an NBA team- a huge milestone for the academy’s mission to develop talent across the continent.
Born in Rumbek, South Sudan, Maluach grew up in Uganda and didn’t pick up a basketball until he was 13. Just a year later, he joined the NBA Academy Africa, where his skills blossomed quickly. He was named MVP of the 2023 Basketball Without Borders Africa camp in Johannesburg and Defensive MVP at the BWB Global camp during NBA All-Star 2024 in Indianapolis. His journey shows what the right opportunities and hard work can do for young African athletes.
Maluach’s impressive record extends beyond training camps. He played three seasons in the BAL, helping Senegal’s AS Douanes reach the BAL Finals in 2023. Last season, he averaged 8.6 points, 6.6 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game as a freshman at Duke University, helping his team reach the 2025 NCAA Men’s Final Four. He also earned several honors, including All-ACC Honorable Mention, ACC All-Rookie Team, and spots on the ACC All-Tournament First Team and NCAA East Regional All-Tournament Team.
Internationally, Maluach has proudly represented South Sudan on the global stage. He was the youngest player at both the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup and the 2024 Paris Olympics, showing just how quickly he’s risen through the ranks.
BAL President Amadou Gallo Fall praised Maluach’s achievement, saying, “Being drafted into the NBA is a monumental achievement for Khaman and a reflection of the predictable pathway that the NBA has helped build for aspiring players across Africa.” He also highlighted Maluach’s maturity and dedication, calling him a proud ambassador for South Sudan and the continent.
Maluach’s draft adds to a strong showing for African talent this year. His Duke teammates Cooper Flagg and Kon Knueppel were picked first and fourth overall. Other players with African roots selected in the first round include Noa Essengue (France/Cameroon), Thomas Sorber (U.S./Liberia), Joan Beringer (France/Benin) and Yanic Konan Niederhauser (Switzerland/Cote d’Ivoire).
For Khaman Maluach, the dream is only just beginning – and for Africa, it’s a sign of even brighter days ahead on the basketball court.
RELATED:
