If you’re a big ACC basketball fan, you’ve probably heard of Cooper Flagg at this point. But Flagg is not the only five-star that Duke will have on the floor this year.
Meet Khaman Maluach — the 7-foot-2 forward from South Sudan who will also be joining the Blue Devils as a rookie this upcoming season.
On Saturday, Maluach turned heads all over the world as he competed in an international matchup against Team USA’s Olympic team — yes, the team with LeBron James, Steph Curry, and the rest of the best American players in the world.
Maluach posted a seven-point, three-rebound, one-block stat line in the one-point loss to Team USA. He is a five-star prospect ranked as the No. 4 overall prospect in this year’s high-school class. He played for NBA Academy before committing to Duke.
“I am really excited to welcome Khaman Maluach to Duke,” head coach Jon Scheyer said at the time Maluach signed with Duke. “Joining us from South Sudan and NBA Academy Africa, Khaman brings an incredible perspective and unique talents to our program. At 7’2, Khaman can score inside and out, handle the ball, and protect the rim at a high level. His vocal leadership, the energy and enthusiasm that he plays with, and his commitment to winning above individual statistics stood out to me when watching him throughout the recruiting process. We are anxious to get to work with Khaman after he competes in the Olympics this summer with (former Duke player) Luol Deng and the South Sudanese National Team.”
Maluach will take on Pitt this year in ACC play, but it won’t be his first time seeing a Pitt Vs. Duke game. He was visiting, as a recruit. to check out Duke’s campus and Cameron Indoor Stadium last year when Blake Hinson and the Panthers won on the road.
