The coaching staff of Duke basketball is preparing to welcome Khaman Maluach from NBA Academy Africa over the weekend, as reported by Joe Tipton from On3 on Monday. This visit coincides with the Blue Devils’ game against Pitt at 8 p.m. ET on Saturday at Cameron Indoor Stadium. Maluach, a 7-foot-2, 235-pound player from South Sudan, lacks visibility in most rankings due to his international status. Despite this, he is anticipated to be a five-star prospect. Duke head coach Jon Scheyer extended an offer to Maluach in August when he was part of the 2025 class, but he later announced his reclassification to the 2024 class in December.
Following Long Island Lutheran (N.Y.) five-star guard VJ Edgecombe’s commitment to Baylor over Duke and Kentucky on Sunday night, Khaman Maluach stands as the sole undecided 2024 talent on the reported wishlist for the Blue Devils. It is evident that Maluach, a versatile 7-foot-2 prospect, is a key priority for Duke, and there is considerable interest from both sides. His upcoming official visit to Duke will mark the initial step in his recruitment process.
Adding to the mix, Duke basketball head coach Jon Scheyer and his team may have some influential support from former one-and-done player Luol Deng, who played for Duke in the 2003-04 season. Deng currently holds the position of president for the South Sudan basketball federation and recently served as an assistant coach during the country’s inaugural FIBA World Cup appearance this past summer. Notably, Khaman Maluach, the 17-year-old prospect, was the youngest player on that national team.
On3, which ranks Maluach at No. 15 overall among his 2024 peers, reports that Duke is among the exclusive trio of schools actively vying for his services, with UCLA and Georgetown being the other known contenders. The Blue Devils are already securing a remarkable 2024 recruiting class, boasting five highly-touted signees, including the top-ranked senior prep in the form of five-star forward Cooper Flagg.