Kentucky Visits Khaman Maluach on Heels of Reclassification

The NBA Draft community is buzzing. Khaman Maluach has decided to graduate high school a year early. The folks at the next level can’t wait to see him on an NBA court in 2025. John Calipari wants him to spend a year in Lexington first.

KSR’s Jack Pilgrim reports Kentucky conducted an in-person visit with Maluach the day after the Wildcats’ victory over North Carolina. The visit coincided with news that Maluach is reclassifying.

“I think I am ready to play at that level,” Maluach told ESPN’s Jonathan Givony. “I’ve played against some of the top guys in 2024 and 2025, and against pros in the FIBA World Cup. Playing against guys who are stronger and more experienced helped me realize where I stand and what I need to work on.”

The 7-foot-2 athlete was the second-ranked center and No. 10 overall player in the 2025 recruiting class, according to On3, before he announced his decision to move up a year. From the South Sudan, he’s played for the NBA Academy Africa in Senegal since 2021. He became the third-youngest player to ever participate in the FIBA World Cup over the summer when he suited up for South Sudan.

In addition to Kentucky’s interest, Duke, Baylor, UCLA, Georgetown and Kansas are pursuing Maluach. Kentucky already has inked a couple of posts in the 2024 recruiting class, Jayden Quaintance and Somto Cyril.

“I want to go somewhere where they put my development first,” Maluach tells ESPN. “Get me ready for the next step, but also winning too. I would like to go somewhere where I can win a championship.”

Khaman Maluach Scouting Report

On3’s Jamie Shaw watched Maluach play in-person last year when the NBA Academy put on a showcase event in Las Vegas.

“There is a raw nature still to his game, but the 7-foot-0 center continued to flash in each of the games he played this week,” said Shaw.

“Maluach, who was born in Senegal, has long arms, and he moves very well, both laterally and vertically. The 7-footer was as good a rim protector as I saw, and, at times, he proved capable of switching and moving his feet with smaller guys on the perimeter. Offensively, Maluach tried to dunk everything within five feet of the basket, and he stepped out to hit multiple threes.

“In the game against the NBA Global Academy, Maluach had 9 points on 3-of-11 from the field and 2-of-6 from three. He added four rebounds, one steal, and a game-high six blocked shots. He will need to get stronger and continue getting caught up to the speed of the game, but with a September 2006 birthday, there is a high ceiling here.”