South Sudanese basketball sensation Khaman Maluach is headed to the NBA’s Western Conference in stunning fashion after being traded to the Phoenix Suns on draft night in a deal that sent veteran superstar Kevin Durant to the Houston Rockets.
Maluach, who was selected 10th overall by the Rockets in the 2025 NBA Draft, quickly became the centerpiece of one of the summer’s most talked-about trades. As part of the exchange, Phoenix received the 7’2” Duke center, while Houston acquired Durant and a package including Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, and six future draft picks. It was a move that surprised many, but one that could reshape the Suns’ future.
At just 18 years old, Maluach brings rare physical tools and immense potential to a Suns team in search of fresh identity and long-term balance. The South Sudanese prodigy stands at 7 feet 0.75 inches with a wingspan of nearly 7-foot-7 and a standing reach of 9-foot-6 — measurements that rank among the elite for NBA big men.
Having played just one collegiate season at Duke, Maluach posted averages of 8.6 points and 6.6 rebounds per game while helping the Blue Devils secure the ACC championship and a trip to the NCAA Final Four. While his numbers were modest, his impact went beyond the stat sheet. His presence in the paint, ability to alter shots, and agility on defense quickly gained him praise as one of the best rim protectors in college basketball.
Khaman Maluach is selected 10th overall by the @HoustonRockets in the 2025 #NBADraft presented by State Farm!
Watch on ABC & ESPN. pic.twitter.com/jI2pHawX0O
— NBA (@NBA) June 26, 2025
His efficiency near the basket was particularly notable. Maluach converted over 80 percent of his shots at the rim, excelling as a pick-and-roll finisher and showing good timing and footwork. Despite a limited offensive skill set, his athleticism, instincts, and mobility have scouts convinced of his NBA ceiling.
Born in 2006, Maluach’s journey to the NBA has been remarkable. He only started playing basketball in 2019, but quickly rose through the ranks after joining the NBA’s Africa Academy. His development continued in the Basketball Africa League (BAL), where he featured for teams like Cobra Sport, AS Douanes, and Uganda’s City Oilers. It was with the Oilers that he truly shined — averaging 17.5 points and 13.5 rebounds per game and cementing his status as a future star.
“Living in Africa, I had the whole continent on my back…”
ALL THE FEELS for Khaman Maluach https://t.co/Okf6QTxwls pic.twitter.com/EmdTa2fAC5
— NBA (@NBA) June 26, 2025
Maluach’s international résumé is already impressive. He featured for South Sudan at the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup and earned a spot on the country’s squad for the upcoming 2024 Paris Olympics. His performances at both club and international levels have drawn comparisons to modern NBA defensive anchors, and now he has the platform to prove himself among the world’s elite.
Phoenix Suns’ front office views Maluach as more than just a developmental project. With the departure of Durant and the arrival of new head coach Jordan Ott, the Suns are aiming to shift from a star-heavy, offense-first model to a more defensively focused, balanced team. Maluach fits that vision perfectly.
The trade also helps address Phoenix’s biggest concern — size and youth. While the additions of Jalen Green and Dillon Brooks offer scoring and wing defense, Maluach provides something far harder to find: an elite rim protector with the upside to become a franchise cornerstone.
Despite signing a two-year deal with Duke earlier this year and attracting interest from several European clubs, Maluach was always seen as a one-and-done college player. NBA scouts were impressed with his attitude, basketball IQ, and his ability to adapt quickly to high-level competition, despite his relatively late start in the sport.
His arrival in Phoenix will see him working with one of the league’s most dynamic young coaching staffs, and expectations are that he will get valuable minutes early in the season. While it may take time to develop a consistent offensive game, his defense-first mindset is exactly what Phoenix needs as they rebuild around a younger core.
The trade may also be the start of a wider cultural shift for the Suns. With Durant’s exit, the franchise has moved away from its “win-now” mode and embraced a longer-term vision. Bringing in Maluach — a player with roots in South Sudan and global recognition — also strengthens the NBA’s ties with Africa and adds another chapter to the continent’s growing influence on the global basketball stage.
Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how quickly Maluach can adjust to the NBA. His combination of height, timing, and athleticism gives him a strong foundation to become one of the league’s best defenders — and perhaps even more.
As South Sudan continues to rise in the global basketball ranks, Maluach’s move to Phoenix is not just a personal triumph but a symbol of what’s possible for the next generation of African talent.
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