Khaman Maluach planning visit to Kentucky, nearing decision

Kentucky just added one 7-2 unicorn to the lineup in Zvonimir Ivisic. Could it bring another one in for next season? John Calipari is giving it a shot.

Khaman Maluach, one of the fastest-rising bigs in high school basketball, is planning a visit to Lexington in the coming weeks. Coming off a trip to Duke, the 7-2, 235-pound center will also see Kansas, UCLA and the G League Ignite before making a decision at the end of February.

Travis Branham of 247Sports was the first to break the news.

The Wildcats were in attendance for Maluach in December at the Sunshine Prep Showcase at IMG Academy. The versatile big man out of South Sudan reclassified to 2024 as a draft-eligible prospect in 2025. At the time, it was also reported he would consider the NBL Next Stars program in Australia or a postgrad season with NBA Academy Africa, along with those four college options.

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

Kentucky sophomore Ugonna Onyenso previously suited up for NBA Academy Africa before making his way to the United States, playing for Putnam Science Academy in Connecticut before joining the Wildcats.

Maluach was recently ranked No. 3 overall in ESPN’s 2025 mock draft, one of two international prospects in the top five.

Unveiled the top five of my early 2025 mock draft on NBA Today with @malika_andrews. A lot will likely change in the next 18 months.

1. Cooper Flagg (Duke)
2. Ace Bailey (Rutgers)
3. Khaman Maluach (NBA Academy Africa)
4. Jalil Bethea (Miami)
5. Hugo Gonzalez (Real Madrid) pic.twitter.com/DN5caRbOG2

— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) January 23, 2024

We’ll find out quickly just how much traction there is with Kentucky for the 7-2 standout.