The Duke basketball program made a gigantic offer in the Class of 2025.
As the Duke basketball coaches begin to wind down its recruitment of the 2024 class and shift their focus to the elite prospects of the 2025 class, more players are popping up on the Blue Devil radar.
Recently, Jon Scheyer made extended an offer to Khaman Maluach, a promising Sudanese 5-star center whose talents are garnering attention at the young age of 16.
Maluach could emerge as a very realistic addition to Duke’s 2025 class but many aren’t familiar with his talents so we take a closer exploration of his game and attributes.
The 7-foot-1 center possesses remarkably soft hands, showcasing his ability to catch passes around the rim, secure rebounds, and making catches amidst traffic.
2006 Born Khaman Maluach 7’1 C 🇸🇸 7’6 Wingpsan class of 2025 Highlights from NBA Academy Africa showcase. Recap & Writeup on @nbadraftnet https://t.co/6F7rQGnQnX @nbaacademy #bal #NBAafrica #NBADraft pic.twitter.com/ydEN6ltdZ4
— eric guilleminault (@eguilleminault) June 3, 2023
He has the ability to stretch the floor with his feathery jumpshot, complemented by an evolving post game. His straight-line speed is notable, and he runs the floor like a deer.
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His pick and roll acumen is impressive, exemplified by his hard screens and decisive rolls to the rim or open area for a scoring opportunity.
The 16-year-old demonstrates exceptional communication skills on both ends of the court and consistently strives for dominance whenever he steps onto the court.
Duke basketball newest target projects as a defensive stalwart
Rim protection is undoubtedly the forte of Khaman Maluach.
His massive stature, combined with his 7-foot-6 wingspan, has coaches salivating at the chance of getting the prospect on its campus.
Not in my house! 15-year old Khaman Maluach denies Pieter Prinloo not once, but twice to inspire an impressive defensive display for @club_cobra #theBAL pic.twitter.com/OWFwcm5aAY
— Basketball Africa League (@theBAL) April 15, 2022
While he may not exhibit the same foot-speed or lateral agility as a former Duke player like Dereck Lively, his impressive vertical lift and exceptional wingspan allow him to alter or block shots prolifically.
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His court awareness, coupled with his remarkable anticipation, allows him to swat away opponent shots with ease. This defensive prowess adds a layer of intimidation to the back line of the defense.
With the news of Duke’s offer expect, Khaman Maluach’s offer list (UCLA and Georgetown) to grow exponentially.