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South Sudan teen basketball star Khaman Maluach has seen his NBA dream come true five years after a boda boda rider in Uganda encouraged him to try the sport while aged 13.
While the 2025 NBA Draft was largely focused on the anticipated first overall pick, it was the tenth selection that truly captivated audiences.
The Phoenix Suns, using a pick acquired from the Houston Rockets, selected South Sudanese prospect Khaman Maluach, a moment that quickly became a viral sensation.
The 7'2" 18-year-old was overcome with emotion, embracing his family in tears as NBA Commissioner Adam Silver announced his name.
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As he walked onto the stage to receive his Suns hat, Maluach continued to wipe away tears, highlighting the significance of the moment.
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Raised as a refugee in Kawempe, Uganda, after being born in South Sudan, Maluach didn't begin playing basketball until the age of 13. His interest in the sport came about after a chat with a boda boda rider told him he was too tall for his age and just five years later, he finds himself in the NBA.
Emotional Maluach Still in Disbelief
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“The moment exceeded my expectations,” Maluach shared on the ESPN broadcast. as per “This is one of the best days of my life. I didn’t think I was going to cry, but I did. I’m excited to put on a Suns jersey with my name on the back and step on the floor.”
Maluach joins an exclusive group of only five first-round NBA Academy alumni, including Australians Josh Giddey (sixth overall, 2021) and Dyson Daniels (eighth overall, 2022).
“The NBA Academy opened my eyes and showed me my full potential and what I needed to do to be successful,” Maluach explained.
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“It was hard being a 14-year-old and going to another country, but at the academy, I learned different cultures and languages and how other people live. It also taught me the game of basketball. I want to show them the great parts and culture of Africa, and change the narrative on how they see my continent.”
Landing Maluach, considered the top center in the draft, with the tenth pick (acquired in the Kevin Durant trade) initially appeared as a major win for the Suns. However, a subsequent trade sent their 29th pick to the Charlotte Hornets for center Mark Williams, a puzzling move considering their recent investment in Maluach.
The second round of the draft continues on Thursday, with several Australian prospects hoping to join the league.
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