5-star C Khaman Maluach commits to Duke

Khaman Maluach, a five-star recruit and 7-foot-2 center, has committed to Duke.

On3’s No. 9 ranked player in the 2024 class chose the Blue Devils over Kentucky, Kansas, UCLA, and the G-League Ignite.

Maluach, who is originally from South Sudan, has been playing at the NBA Academy Africa in Sengal since 2021.

Maluach talks Duke

In a previous interview with On3’s Jamie Shaw, Khaman Maluach discussed the Duke Blue Devils.

“The impact the fans had on the game, that is what stood out the most to me,” he said of his visit to Cameron Indoor. “How the students loved basketball. How the fan base is, really stood out for me. Watching the game, and watching practices and shoot around, how the team bounced back from the loss, and how they got on the road. That is the stuff that stood out to me the most.

“The campus is great and they have a good school and good facilities.”

Khaman Maluach Scouting Report

“Khaman Malauch has a lengthy frame athletic fluidity that intrigues. Listed by the NBA Academy Africa at 7-2, he has good length and is a natural rim protector. He uses both hands, controlled around the basket to affect the play. Malauch has solid timing off ball and is developing the strength on ball, defensively. His movement can be a little clunky at times when asked to slide laterally and/or change direction. He is a good vertical athlete. He switches ends off the floor quickly and is a long-strider in transition. Currently, he is at his best as a roll man or in the dunker spots, attacking the front of the rim.

“He does have touch on his shot and that is something that could develop as he is confident in taking the three off the catch. He needs to continue tightening his overall offensive game. He has comfort catching the ball on the left side of the floor and scoring over his left shoulder. Would like to see him expand that go-to move as well as develop counters. He needs base and core strength as he can be pushed off his spot by smaller players and has a tendency to fall a good bit with contact throughout the course of a game. Immense upside here. Continued added strength will be paramount, and could enhance and develop his average athleticism. His frame and length are top 1 percent, even looking toward the NBA. There are a lot of tools in play here with sharpening necessary.” – On3’s Jamie Shaw