Duke is a regular pipeline for players looking to make the jump to the NBA. The program has sent countless players to the league, including Kyrie Irving, Jayson Tatum, and Zion Williamson. This year is no different for Duke, as four starters from this year’s starting lineup are in this year’s NBA Draft.
Cooper Flagg is the headliner of this year’s draft, and he’s expected to be the top overall pick. Kon Kneuppel, Khaman Maluach, and Tyrese Proctor will join him as part of the Duke contingent. Still, fans haven’t held back, bashing Maluach for his lack of production and great amount of hype.
Fans React to Khaman Maluach’s Top-3 NBA Draft Pick Hype
Once Cooper Flagg leaves the draft board, there’s no telling for sure whose name is called next. Other very talented players, including Rutgers standout Ace Bailey and Flagg’s Duke sidekick, Kon Kneuppel, could be picked at any time.
However, the Duke basketball social media team believes Khaman Maluach should join Flagg among the top three selections in Brooklyn’s Barclays Center.
Top 3 pick https://t.co/XzdmPbJbbB
— Duke Men’s Basketball (@DukeMBB) May 1, 2025
Responding to a post from ESPN’s Jonathan Givony on X, in which the renowned analyst notes the improvements that Maluach has put on full display during the pre-draft process, the Blue Devils’ account quoted the post with its “Top 3 pick” forecast for the center from South Sudan.
Some fans were quick to antagonize the post, pointing to Maluach’s below-par performance in the Final Four of this year’s NCAA Tournament. Maluach had zero rebounds in the final four matchup with Houston, and fans think that’s not enough for a “top 3 pick”.
0 rebounds for a top 3 pick😂 pic.twitter.com/x2YgHqkGZt
— John La Scala (@lascala03) May 2, 2025
“0 rebounds for a top 3 pick,” one post read. “Top 3, nah,” another says.
Top 3, nah.
— King Jer〽️aine Da 1st (@JPdakang82) May 2, 2025
Maluach averaged 8.6 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks while shooting 71.2% from the field in his sole season with Duke.
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The basketball world will see if this is enough for a top-three selection on Wednesday, June 25. The NBA Draft will be televised on ESPN and will begin at 8 p.m. ET.
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