Duke basketball freshman Khaman Maluach made headlines as he arrived on campus ahead of his summer Olympic debut.
With less than two months until the 2024 Summer Olympics, Maluach took the opportunity to join the Duke basketball program in Durham before heading off to compete internationally. He was spotted on campus Tuesday during the opening day of the K Academy, a notable event for the Blue Devils.
Notably absent from the roster was 5-star freshman forward Pat Ngongba II, who is set to depart this weekend with Team USA for the FIBA U18 AmeriCup.
Maluach, a towering 7-foot-2 prospect from the NBA Academy Africa, is arguably the most intriguing addition to Duke’s recruiting class. His recent performance in the Basketball Africa League saw him average 17.8 points, 13.5 rebounds, and 2.8 blocks per game. He is projected as a Top-3 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, just two slots behind Cooper Flagg.
During the K Academy, former Duke centers Mark Williams, Ryan Young, Theo John, and Marshall Plumlee were also in attendance, giving Maluach the chance to practice with his future teammates. He will soon begin preparations with Team South Sudan, led by former Blue Devil standout Luol Deng, for the Olympics.
Maluach was the final member of Duke’s recruiting class to sign his National Letter of Intent, completing the process in late April. Head coach Jon Scheyer expressed high praise for Maluach, stating that he “brings an incredible perspective and unique talents to our program.”
