As Duke faced Houston in their Final Four matchup on April 5, 2025, social media erupted with claims that star center Khaman Maluach might be playing “illegally.” The controversy stems from reports of an alleged announcement by Secretary Marco Rubio revoking visas for South Sudanese nationals—potentially affecting the 18-year-old freshman’s eligibility.
The timing could not have been more dramatic, as Duke took the court in one of college basketball’s biggest games. Maluach, who has averaged 8.7 points and 6.8 rebounds this season while shooting 87% during the NCAA Tournament, suddenly found himself at the center of an off-court firestorm.
Visa Revocation Policy Reportedly Targets South Sudanese Nationals
According to social media posts on April 5, Secretary Rubio allegedly posted on X: “I am taking actions to revoke all visas held by South Sudanese passport holders and to restrict any further issuance, effective immediately.” The reported rationale: “the failure of South Sudan’s transitional government to accept the return of its repatriated citizens in a timely manner.”
Outrageously racist but also Khaman Maluach is from South Sudan and is.. playing this game “illegally”? https://t.co/vVYtUpB2PR
— Mike (@kantwistaye) April 6, 2025
If accurate, such a sweeping directive could theoretically affect all South Sudanese nationals in the U.S., including student-athletes like Maluach.
The timing—just hours before Duke’s national semifinal—raised questions and prompted immediate speculation over the 7-foot-2 center’s eligibility.
One X user called the situation “outrageously racist” and questioned whether Maluach was playing “illegally.”
Another claimed, “Our government is revoking the visa of Khaman Maluach because he was born in South Sudan,” adding, “This isn’t American values.”
Posts quickly gained traction, fueling confusion in the middle of the Final Four.
As the story spread, reactions varied. Some questioned whether Maluach was “exempt from today’s U.S. State Department order” and asked if “one must have a valid visa to participate in NCAA sports.”
Others pleaded, “Don’t send Khaman Maluach back until next week, please”—a nod to Duke’s potential title game appearance if they beat Houston.
Reality Check: Understanding Maluach’s Actual Status
Despite the online speculation, there has been no official confirmation of any change to Maluach’s immigration status. NCAA rules require international student-athletes to maintain lawful immigration standing, but visa revocations generally include notification procedures and grace periods before impacting one’s legal presence in the U.S.
Duke University’s compliance office, which verifies student-athlete eligibility, has not issued any statement indicating a change in Maluach’s status. The freshman has started all 38 games this season and was on the floor for Saturday’s Final Four game, suggesting his documentation was properly vetted well before any alleged directive.
Even with an “effective immediately” order, visa revocations for those already in the U.S. typically involve administrative processing. One social media user claimed Maluach “would have seven days to leave the country” if his visa were revoked—but even that unconfirmed timeline would theoretically allow him to finish the tournament.
The issue has also raised questions about Maluach’s basketball future, with one user asking, “Does this mean Duke’s Khaman Maluach can’t play? And what does this do to his future in the NBA?” Others joked about the timing, with one user suggesting, “Rubio trying to help your kid’s college basketball team—the Gators? You deporting Khaman Maluach from Duke?”
Maluach’s path from Rumbek, South Sudan, to Duke included training at the NBA Academy Africa in Senegal. A projected top-10 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, it’s unlikely any eligibility or documentation issues would have gone unnoticed over the course of the season.
F-1 student visa holders like Maluach are typically granted a 60-day grace period after status termination, though revocation timelines can range from 7 to 30 days. Without confirmation from immigration authorities, Duke University or the NCAA, all claims about his eligibility remain speculative.
The situation highlights the real-world implications of immigration policy on individuals—especially international students and athletes. If the reported directive proves accurate, the broader consequences could be significant for those caught in the diplomatic crossfire.
MORE: Kon Knueppel’s Journey from Fan to Duke Star
For now, basketball fans, immigration watchers and Maluach supporters are waiting to see whether official sources will confirm or deny the swirling social media claims—while the freshman continues to compete in one of the most important games of his career.
Don’t miss a moment of March Madness! Download your 2025 NCAA Tournament printable bracket and stay on top of every game, matchup, and Cinderella story. Get yours now!
