At 17 years old, Duke commit Khaman Maluach is the youngest basketball player in the Paris Olympics.
🇸🇸 17-year-old Khaman Maluach, who fled South Sudan and was once a refugee, is now competing for South Sudan🏀 in #Paris2024.
He is expected to be one of the hottest players for the NBA Draft next year.@kev_kimathi has more on the 7ft 2in (2.18m) tall teenager’s story. pic.twitter.com/gxo0SwD3PI
— BBC News Africa (@BBCAfrica) July 30, 2024
Suiting up for native South Sudan, the 7-foot-2 big man only played six minutes in their historic win over Puerto Rico. However, this isn’t dissimilar from then rookie Anthony Davis’s role with Team USA in the 2012 London Olympics.
Though his length and skill have been utilized by the Bright Stars, his primary role is as a student. Learning from players that one is more talented then is only possible for people with great humility. Nonetheless, whether it’s former All-Star forward and South Sudan Basketball Federation president Luol Deng, former NBA guard and South Sudan head coach Royal Ivey, or five-year NBA veteran and South Sudan starting center Wenyen Gabriel, he’s willing to soak up knowledge.
Duke’s Olympian Khaman Maluach Compared To Myles Turner
Projected to be a lottery pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, Maluach is a matchup nightmare at the next level.
Khaman Maluach – remember his name.
17 year old who has committed to Duke University amassed 7 points, 3 rebounds & 1 block in 12 minutes of playing time for South Sudan 🇸🇸 vs USA.
Raised in Kampala from the age of 2 and now heading to the Olympics.
— Usher Komugisha (@UsherKomugisha) July 20, 2024
He has outstanding physical tools with his size and mobility, especially for a center. This allows him to be an intimidating shot-blocker and capable of guarding out on the perimeter. As the league continues to lean into pace and space principles, he’s just the type of pivot teams will be looking for.
His modernity isn’t restricted to the defensive end though. Maluach is also capable of stretching the floor, a career 31.6 percent shooter from 3 in the Basketball Africa League (BAL). This has led to at least one executive believing that he’s “in that same mold” as Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner, but “a little more mobile,” per HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto.
“I want to see him playing with Cooper Flagg in the frontcourt and how he defends in space and moves his feet. I think those things are going to be important. He’s got to get more strength in his legs and his base to guard some of the bigger NBA guys. If you play him in a drop, it’ll be hard to score on him.”
At 28, Turner is a two-time block champion and the Pacers’ all-time leader in blocked shots. He’s also a true stretch big, knocking down 600 threes in his career. As the executive alluded to, Turner is a bit stiffer in terms of his mobility. Nonetheless, his skillset does have enough commonalities to warrant a comparison to Maluach.
What’s Next For Khaman Maluach
As Maluach develops his game at Duke, his low post footwork should be a focus. With his length and agility, he could be a terror in the paint. Improving his lower body strength will also help him establish position in the post.
In the meantime, Maluach is skying and letting it fly. With that being said, by playing within himself, he’s also demonstrating a feel for the game that’s escaped many talented players.
