Khaman Maluach Declares for 2025 NBA Draft

Duke freshman center Khaman Maluach, a 7-foot-2 player from South Sudan, has declared for the 2025 NBA Draft and is projected as a lottery pick. In his only season, Maluach averaged 8.6 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks per game, helping lead Duke to the Final Four and earning ACC All-Freshman honors. He is entering the draft alongside fellow freshmen Cooper Flagg and Kon Knueppel, all expected to be selected in the first round. Maluach's defensive ability and athleticism have drawn significant NBA interest. His draft process is complicated by a U.S. policy threatening to revoke visas for South Sudanese nationals, though no action has yet been taken on his case. Duke is working with the State Department to address his immigration status ahead of the draft.