Now all three of Duke’s superb freshmen have declared for the 2025 NBA Draft.
Following in the footsteps of Kon Knueppel and national Player of the Year Cooper Flagg, 7-foot-2 center Khaman Maluach made his move official Sunday when Duke announced the news via social media.
The South Sudan native, who doesn’t turn 19 until Sept. 14, is viewed as a likely lottery pick after averaging 8.6 points, 6.6 rebounds and 1.3 blocks in 21.2 minutes per game. He started every game for a Blue Devils squad that reached the Final Four of the NCAA Tournament.
“I’ve absolutely loved coaching Khaman,” Duke coach Jon Scheyer said via social media. “I’m going to miss him every single day. He’s got the most contagious personality.
“Of course, he’s got an incredible skill set on the floor being 7-2. He’s got great timing. His ball skills are great. All that, I think, is there that you can see. But for me, the separator is how hard he plays, how competitive he is and that he’s not afraid of contact.”
The 250-pound Maluach has been measured with a 7-6 wingspan and a 9-8 standing reach, which helps to explain his ability to defend the rim. But as Duke reeled off 15 straight wins before being upset by Houston in the national semifinals, Maluach also displayed the agility to defend smaller players on the perimeter.
Maluach’s decision means that Duke will not retain any of its top six players — going by minutes played — from its 35-4 squad.
Flagg (19.2 points per game), Knueppel (14.4) and junior Tyrese Proctor (12.4) also have declared for the draft that will be held June 25. Graduate transfers Sion James (8.6) and Mason Gillis (4.1) are out of eligibility.
–Field Level Media
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