Khaman Maluach is one of three Duke men’s basketball freshmen, alongside projected No. 1 2025 NBA Draft pick Cooper Flagg and Kon Knueppel. Averaging 8.9 points, 6.2 rebounds, 0.4 assists, and 1.1 blocks in 20.3 minutes per game, Maluach has established himself as a key center for the second-ranked Blue Devils.
Khaman Maluach: Duke’s Rising Star and Accidental Music Critic
Off the court, the 18-year-old clearly has a lot to learn about American pop culture. In a hilarious video posted on Duke’s Instagram, Maluach enjoys a tour with a staff member around Madison Square Garden, where he tries to identify popular musicians.
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Although he was able to identify Adele, Drake, Beyonce, and Sam Smith, he confused several other artists, including Justin Timberlake for Maroon 5 and Elton John for Steve Wonder.
“Extremely entertaining Man Man content 🤣,” the post was captioned.
How Khaman Maluach May Fare in the NBA
Maluach joined Duke men’s basketball from the NBA Africa and has made a tremendous impact in the second-ranked Blue Devils. Although the South Sudanese star is still in his freshman year, he is already projected as one of the top picks for the 2025 NBA Draft, alongside fellow freshmen Flagg and Knueppel.
Rated a top center for men’s college basketball this season and eighth pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, Maluach continues to refine his game with his defensive prowess and making an impact near the rim. His imposing 7-foot-2, 250-pound frame offers a promising defensive skill set when he potentially joins the NBA.
However, Maluach has displayed some fouling trouble, partly due to his inexperience. The freshman center may also struggle for playing time when he goes pro despite his excellent finishing (76% on two-pointers).
KEEP READING: Top 10 Centers in College Basketball
He is currently averaging only 20 minutes per game and has had limited opportunities against top teams. But he has the rest of the season to show NBA teams how he can handle himself.
“I just want to see him keep being good at what we project him to be,” a scout told ESPN. “For his role as a non-shooting big, rim protector and rebounder, he just has to be able to play out of pick-and-roll, catch lobs, play in the dunker spot. Shooting probably will never be a threat. … If someone can tap into the upside, credit to them. Maybe he gets to where he can play in dribble handoffs, setting screens, that’s where he can be a great asset.”
Meanwhile, Maluach is expected to be in action as Duke takes on Miami on Tuesday night.
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