Khaman Maluach: Signs of Progress
Maluach improved vastly each game he played in his freshman year at Duke. Is he league ready?
Maluach has been all over everyone’s draft board as the number one center in the class. With crazy size that isn’t matched by a lot of bigs in the NBA, let alone in the draft class, combined with coordination and skill, he may have the highest ceiling in the draft But, that’s if he’s allowed to enter.
Maluach has unfortunately been put in one of the roughest positions we’ve seen in years when it comes to outside concerns. The Trump Administration, spearheaded by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, has decided to revoke visas for all South Sudanese citizens. This is what The Athletic noted about the situation:
“Currently, Rubio’s decision affects South Sudanese people outside the U.S. seeking visas that would allow them to enter the country. Maluach’s current student status would remain valid unless the Trump administration were to issue a deportation order, which it has not done, according to Travis Murphy, who has worked as a U.S. diplomat and with the NBA in international governmental affairs”.
I will put the link to the article at the end of this. I will be making my projection based upon his ability on the basketball court, not by the individuals making ill-informed decisions. Here’s a look at what Maluach does on the court that makes him one of the best bigs in the draft:
Basic Stats (2024-2025): 21.3 MPG, 8.6 PPG, 0.5 APG, 6.6 RPG, 0.2 SPG, 1.3 BPG, 0.8 TO, 71.2% FG
PROS
OUTSTANDING physical tools
7’6” wingspan on top of his 7’2” height with 250 pounds, with a 9’8” standing reach (!!!!!!)
At his size, he is incredibly mobile and has very fluid hip movements
Really impressive lower body.
He has pogo sticks for legs, is able to jump and catch highly thrown balls, come down, and then immediately explode right back out into a dunk
Good footwork as a result of his early days in South Sudan playing soccer; maintains balance through contact
On top of all this, his quickness is pretty solid
Great rebounder, especially offensively (2.7 OReb/Game, 3.8 DReb/Game, 19.2% DReb %)
Combines his incredible leaping ability and length to catch the ball high and strong
Great positioning; he utilizes his pogo stick legs to try and block shots and then immediately go into rebounding
When boxing out, his arms are so long that he practically can touch hands on the defenders back
Incredibly effective screener
Keeps his legs wide to make himself less avoidable in the PNR without fouling (shoulders are incredibly wide, which allows him to keep his legs at a good length), gives their guards a ton of room to make a play. Knows how to utilize his physicals to create
Explodes out of them to get behind defenses quickly, making him one of the top PNR Rollers in CBB (84th %tile time rank, 99th %tile PPP Rating)
Elite lob threat, probably the best in the country, all things considered.
Uses length well to go up and grab balls that are put where only he can get them; finishes over bigs who are just as tall as him.
Almost reminds me of a player like Randy Moss or Calvin Johnson; QBs (guards) just throw the ball up there, and no matter where they put it, they come down with it.
Solid enough mechanics that will give many teams hope for a jumpshot down the line
Has a very small sample size in college
Flares his elbows out a good amount; knees kind of cave in, but besides that, they are really impressive for a guy of his stature and playing experience
Incredible shot blocker (1.3 BPG at a 6.8% Block Rate)
Length+leaping ability allow him to block shots that he has no business trying to block (ie: mid-range attempts while he is still in the paint)
TONS of room to grow in all facets of his game. Improved every game through the season and still has a lot to improve on.
I think the biggest thing that I have seen him improve in is his willingness to run in transition. Below is what I wrote when watching him play live against SMU
Doesn’t really get out in front of the defense, if he really got on his horse he could get some easy buckets and create lob opportunities. Has the speed to get out in transition, it is just about willingness.
In every manner, he has improved. While not happening frequently, he has shown a willingness to beat his defender to the rim and create easy looks for himself.
CONS
Can sell out for pump fakes often (see SMU)
Frequently loses his man in the PNR, leading to open alley oops
Gets engaged by the guard a lot, but it might just be how Duke plays the PNR considering their height and how they love to switch everything.
Can take too long of strides on the perimeter, leading to him getting beat
Makes up for it with his length, but it definitely engages help which will create defensive scrambles
All things considered, he is still a fairly raw prospect, and has only been playing basketball for a couple of years.
Doesn’t really have a face up game as a big just yet. Not the biggest issue as of right now considering how young he is. With his history in soccer, it gives me hope in how he can develop this skill in the future.
Final Take: Dominant physical specimen, combining elite length, leaping ability, and mobility to excel as a shot-blocker, rebounder, and lob threat, along with potential in outside shooting, but needs to improve discipline and IQ on defense
Draft Projection: Mid to Late Lottery.
Player Comp: Derrick Lively-elite lob threat with great rim protection skills with good shot mechanics (doesn’t hurt that they’re both Dukies), but don’t really have the face-up or shot creation yet.