Khaman Maluach was born on September 14, 2006, in Rumbek, a city in the central region of South Sudan. When civil war broke out in 2013, his family fled to Uganda, settling in a refugee camp in the Kawempe area near Kampala. Life there was tough and resources were limited. For many years, Maluach had no exposure to organized sports, let alone basketball. But his extraordinary height drew attention. At 13, a passing motorcyclist told him he looked like someone who should play basketball. That moment sparked his curiosity about the sport.
In 2019, Maluach attended a basketball camp hosted by Luol Deng, South Sudan’s basketball icon and former NBA All-Star. There, he found himself among players his size and realized he belonged on the court. Although there were few facilities available, he would walk long distances just to get time on the court. His potential was undeniable. In 2021, he earned a spot at NBA Academy Africa in Senegal. The academy played a crucial role in transforming him from a raw talent into a polished prospect. Coaches helped him develop fundamentals, build his frame, and understand high-level basketball.
This journey eventually took him to Duke University in the United States, one of the top college basketball programs. There, Maluach continued to grow both in skill and as a young man leading to interest from NBA teams and international scouts alike. Despite the odds, the boy from a refugee camp was now dreaming of the NBA.
On June 25, 2025, Khaman Maluach’s dream became reality. At the NBA Draft held at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver announced, “With the 10th pick of the 2025 NBA Draft, the Houston Rockets select Khaman Maluach.” The moment was historic. At 18 years old, he became the highest-drafted player to ever come out of NBA Academy Africa and one of the youngest South Sudanese players ever to reach the league. Overwhelmed with emotion, Maluach bowed his head and shed tears as he was embraced by his close circle.
While the Rockets made the selection, Maluach will actually play his rookie season with the Phoenix Suns. His draft rights were traded earlier in the week in a high-profile deal involving superstar Kevin Durant. Maluach’s debut will come with a team hungry for a fresh start after missing the playoffs.
After the draft, Maluach said the experience was unforgettable. “I’m here representing the whole continent of Africa,” he said proudly. Before the ceremony, he opened his jacket to reveal lining with the flags of Uganda and South Sudan a symbol of where he came from and the journey he honors.
His parents watched the draft from Uganda, while other family members joined him in New York. He credited his parents for shaping him with strong values and promised to give back. Maluach said he plans to send his draft hat back to the coaches in Uganda who first taught him basketball. His humility and pride in his heritage made him an instant fan favorite and a beacon of hope for young athletes across Africa.
Maluach’s rise mirrors the astonishing growth of basketball in South Sudan. Despite being the world’s youngest country, South Sudan has quickly become a basketball powerhouse on the African continent. The team made global headlines at the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023, where Maluach was the youngest player in the tournament. They followed that up by becoming the only African team to qualify directly for the 2024 Paris Olympics. These achievements placed South Sudan at 23rd in the global FIBA rankings and as the number one African team.
Much of this success is credited to Luol Deng, who became president of the South Sudan Basketball Federation in 2019. Deng invested not only in infrastructure and coaching but also in scouting talent from the South Sudanese diaspora. He even coached the national team briefly. Players like Carlik Jones from the Chicago Bulls spoke highly of Deng’s influence, praising his commitment to the game's development both on and off the court.
South Sudan’s national team is known for its gritty determination and resilience. Head coach Royal Ivey says the team’s progress is due to relentless hard work and unity. Maluach embodies this spirit. He represents not just a new face in the NBA, but also the story of an entire generation of African youth dreaming beyond their limits.
Even amid immigration policy challenges like the US visa ban on South Sudanese nationals Maluach’s rise stands as a powerful symbol. He proves that with passion, support, and belief, even a boy from a refugee camp can become one of the brightest stars in global basketball. And he’s just getting started.
See also: UEFA to Decide Crystal Palace’s Europa League Fate Today!
Comments
Post a Comment