The 2025 NBA Draft is right around the corner as we are just over a month away from finding out who takes the next steps in their respective basketball careers. For right now, teams are continuing to do their homework and look at who they want to draft to make their teams better and hopefully reach that next level.
For the Duke Blue Devils, they will be losing many of their stars from this past year’s deep March Madness run. Cooper Flagg, and Tyrese Proctor, are arguably two of the biggest losses for the Blue Devils. However, they’re also losing another big piece of their puzzle, and this one is drawing comparison’s to Brook Lopez and Ivica Zubac already.
Khaman Maluach is Brook Lopez and Ivica Zubac 2.0
Khaman Maluach is already drawing comparisons to Brook Lopez’s frame and Ivica Zubac’s play style from a well-respected Atlanta Hawks analyst. Drawing comparisons to Lopez and Zubac without even reaching the NBA yet is very impressive. Maluach is a shoo-in for the NBA, and he’d be a great fit for just about every team.
Khaman Maluach – w/ a ~ 7’7″ wingspan & 9’6″ standing reach – is a monster interior finisher, shooting 80.6% @ the rim.
He has shades of Brook’s frame & Zubac’s playstyle, 2 bigs who gradually modernized their game, a developmental path I think Maluach may replicate 👀 pic.twitter.com/M8ZCb6up0r
— #InSnyderWeTrust (@dlee4three) May 18, 2025
Duke Blue Devils big man Maluach has become a premier player during the NBA Draft process, leading up to this year’s draft on June 25. Maluach has been all over NBA Mock Drafts, being listed to several different teams, whether it be the Brooklyn Nets or any other team, Maluach has been linked to many.
Maluach, who was a literal last-minute entry to the NBA Draft pool, has been a big-time riser and has been praised heavily for his defensive capabilities.
Maluach measures at an impressive 7’2″, along with a 7’6″ wingspan, and aside from his defensive prowess, he can bang it out down low or pop out for an occasional three-pointer as well.
While his agility and athleticism certainly need work, at age 18, it is safe to assume his best basketball is certainly ahead of him.
At the NBA Combine, he knocked down an impressive 12 out of his 25 threes during both the stationary and catch-and-shoot portions of the three-point drills, tallying 24 out of his 50 shots between the two drills.
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With the 2025 NBA Draft not long off now, Maluach is certainly expected to hear his name called on the stage that night early in the draft. Maluach comes into the NBA with a lot of hype as your stereotypical tough big man. While his agility and athleticism are both subpar, his best basketball is certainly ahead of him.
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