Tears welled up in Khaman Maluach’s eyes as he stepped into NBA history on Wednesday night, becoming the 10th overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. The 7-foot South Sudanese center was selected by the Phoenix Suns, capping off a remarkable journey from war-torn beginnings to basketball’s grandest stage.
The one-and-done Duke standout was officially drafted by the Houston Rockets—who made the pick using a selection acquired from the Suns in the Kevin Durant trade—but NBA Commissioner Adam Silver soon announced the rights to Maluach were being sent to Phoenix.
“Yes, the moment met my expectations,” an emotional Maluach said after his name was called at Barclays Center in Brooklyn. “I didn’t think I was going to cry, but sometimes I let the emotions out. Everything was just going through my head—my whole journey, my people, and the continent I represent, the continent of Africa.”
Phoenix Suns general manager Brian Gregory confirmed the team had targeted Maluach and was thrilled he was still available at No. 10.
“Very, very excited about this evening with Khaman,” Gregory said. “He comes from a great program, well-coached at Duke. Very versatile. He checks all the boxes—long, athletic, plays fast, defends well.”
The pick was part of the blockbuster trade that sent Kevin Durant to Houston in exchange for Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, the 10th pick, and five second-round selections. That deal, however, won’t be finalized until July 6.
In his freshman season at Duke, Maluach averaged 8.6 points on 71.2% shooting, along with 6.6 rebounds and 1.3 blocks across 39 games. His standout performance came in the NCAA Tournament’s Sweet 16, where he posted 13 points, six rebounds, and four blocks in a win over Arizona.
Maluach started playing basketball at age 13 in South Sudan. He was discovered through a camp organized by fellow South Sudanese and former NBA player Luol Deng, who became his mentor. Maluach wore No. 9 at Duke in Deng’s honor.
The 18-year-old has already made history, representing South Sudan in its Olympic basketball debut at Paris 2024. He notably scored seven points in a narrow 101–100 loss to Team USA in a pre-Olympic exhibition game in London.
“I had beliefs,” Maluach said. “I was delusional about my dreams. No matter what the odds are against you, it shows that you can win.”
The Suns weren’t done after acquiring Maluach. In a separate move, they traded the No. 29 pick and a 2029 first-rounder to the Charlotte Hornets for 7-footer Mark Williams, who also played college basketball at Duke.
Williams averaged 15.3 points and 10.2 rebounds last season but saw a proposed trade to the Lakers fall apart due to a failed physical. He now joins Maluach and Nick Richards—a midseason addition from Charlotte—as part of a retooled Suns frontcourt.
“Mark has been in the league for a couple years, and I’m going to learn a lot from him,” Maluach said. “I’m going to learn how to navigate and how to get better.”
With the additions of Maluach and Williams, Phoenix now has four big men under contract for the 2025–26 season, including Richards and sophomore Oso Ighodaro. Sudanese-born Bol Bol, who just completed his second season with the Suns, is a free agent.
For Maluach, the journey from South Sudan to the NBA is about more than just basketball—it’s a symbol of perseverance and hope. “When I started my basketball journey, I believed in myself,” he said. “I told myself the whole time: believe in yourself and let God work on everything else.”
