The South Sudan star has already helped his country reach the 2024 Paris Olympics


Khaman Maluach has committed to Duke for the 2024 seasonCredit: Getty

KHAMAN Maluach has taken a giant step towards the NBA.

The 7-foot-2 center has committed to Duke and is amongst the top big men in the class of 2024.Khaman Maluach has committed to Duke for the 2024 season

Khaman Maluach has committed to Duke for the 2024 seasonCredit: Getty

The 7-foot-2 prospect currently plays in the NBA Africa AcademyCredit: Getty

His epic reach of 9-foot-8 is even bigger than Victor Wembanyama
His epic reach of 9-foot-8 is even bigger than Victor WembanyamaCredit: AP
Maluach has been compared to Victor Wembanyama for his incredible reach and agility.

He has starred for NBA Academy Africa in Senegal and is projected by ESPN to be the No. 3 pick in the 2025 draft.

Maluach, 17, has only been playing basketball for the past five years.

But he has already helped his native country of South Sudan qualify for the Paris Olympics.

Maluah visited Kentucky, Kansas, and UCLA as he continues his basketball journey in the USA.

“Duke is home. That’s where I belong.” Maluach told ESPN.

“This was the hardest decision I’ve ever made. I felt like I could succeed anywhere, but I was most comfortable going to Duke.

“All the schools that were recruiting me are big-time programs, but in terms of my development and the relationships I built with the coaches, they were the best.”

The NBA Academy Africa was established in 2017 and Maluach could become the first program graduate to be drafted into the league.

“The NBA Academy has played a big role in my development,” Maluach continued.

“They made me realize my potential, how good I can be and how great I am going to be.”

Maluach posted a remarkable 9-foot-8 standing reach in Indianapolis last month.

That’s even bigger than 7-foot-4 rookie Wenbanyama, who was the No. 1 overall pick last year.

“I use that length to block shots, go get rebounds and dunk the ball whenever I can,” he said.

“I love watching basketball. I watch a lot of Giannis [Antetokounmpo], Joel Embiid. Victor [Wembanyama].

“I try to see what players are good at and learn from them.”