By Horn Africa News Staff
UNITED STATES — Khaman Madit Maluach, the 18-year-old basketball phenom from South Sudan, has made history as the highest-drafted player to emerge from the NBA’s Basketball Africa League (BAL) Academy. His selection marks a defining moment not only for his personal career but for the entire African continent’s basketball future.
Maluach was chosen 10th overall in the 2025 NBA Draft by the Phoenix Suns as part of a blockbuster trade with the Houston Rockets — a deal that also sent NBA superstar Kevin Durant to Houston. The Suns acted swiftly to secure Maluach, recognizing the immense potential in the young South Sudanese center.
“I’m here representing the whole continent,” Maluach said after the draft.
“Giving hope to young kids, inspiring the next generation of African basketball.”
From Refugee Camp to NBA Stardom
Born on September 14, 2006, in Rumbek, South Sudan, Maluach was forced to flee his homeland due to civil war. In 2013, he and his family resettled in Uganda, where he grew up in a refugee camp in Kawempe, a suburb of Kampala.
Despite the hardships of displacement, his extraordinary height — now 7 feet 2 inches — drew attention. At age 13, a local boda boda (motorcycle taxi) rider encouraged him to try basketball. That moment proved life-changing.
Soon after, he attended a youth camp hosted by former NBA player and fellow South Sudanese icon Luol Deng, where his passion for basketball took root.
Rising Through the Ranks
Maluach’s raw talent quickly earned him a place at the NBA Academy Africa in Senegal — the league’s elite training center for top prospects across the continent. There, he sharpened his game and gained international exposure.
He went on to compete in the Basketball Africa League (BAL), playing for Cobra Sport (South Sudan), AS Douanes (Senegal), and City Oil basketball players (Uganda). His performances turned heads, especially after earning MVP honors at the prestigious 2023 Basketball Without Borders Africa camp.
In 2024, he joined Duke University, one of the most respected collegiate basketball programs in the United States, further polishing his skills in preparation for the NBA.
A Milestone for Africa
Being drafted 10th overall by the Suns makes Maluach the highest pick ever from the NBA Academy Africa — a program designed to identify and develop the next generation of African basketball stars.
His story is now seen as a beacon of possibility for young athletes across the continent, particularly those in vulnerable and underrepresented communities.
Maluach joins a prestigious lineage of African NBA legends, including Hakeem Olajuwon (Nigeria), Manute Bol (South Sudan), and Joel Embiid (Cameroon). Yet, he is also forging a unique legacy of his own, built on resilience, talent, and an unwavering dream.
A Symbol of Hope
Maluach’s achievement transcends sport. It is a symbol of hope for millions across Africa — especially for youth living in conflict-affected regions — showing that with opportunity and perseverance, even the most unlikely dreams can be realized.
As he begins his NBA journey with the Phoenix Suns, all eyes will be on him. And across Africa, young dreamers will look up to Khaman Maluach not only as a basketball star but as proof that greatness can rise from anywhere.
