Duke freshman center Khaman Maluach is entering the 2025 NBA draft after one season with the Blue Devils, the program announced on Sunday.
Maluach, who was born in South Sudan, was named to the ACC All-Freshman Team after averaging 8.6 points, 6.6 rebounds and 1.3 blocks on 71.2% shooting from the field in 39 games. He ranked sixth in the country in offensive rebound percentage (16.5) and 2-point percentage (75.4).
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The 7-footer scored in double figures 17 times, including a season-high 19 points, 10 rebounds and one blocked shot on Jan. 11 in a win over Notre Dame. He ranked third among all freshmen in the conference in double-doubles (5).
Maluach, along with freshman teammates Cooper Flagg and Kon Knueppel, helped the Blue Devils reach the Final Four for the first time since 2022. They are each projected to be first-round picks this year, with Maluach considered one of the top rim protectors in the draft.
The 18-year-old represented South Sudan last year in the 2024 Olympic Games after helping the group finish 1-2 in only its second international tournament appearance. He totaled two points and four rebounds in 13 minutes across three games.
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Maluach started playing basketball roughly seven years ago in Uganda. He joined the NBA Africa Academy in Senegal and has made a rapid rise because of his size and versatility as a player who can shoot and defend, with his reported 7-foot, 4 1/2-inch wingspan.
The 2025 NBA draft will occur June 25-26 in New York City.
This article originally appeared on Rookie Wire: Duke news: Freshman Khaman Maluach to enter 2025 NBA draft
