2025 Prospect Spotlight: Khaman Maluach

[Jamaaliver]

Likely to go top-7, is he worth trading multiple assets to acquire?

Khaman Maluach (Duke, C)

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Size: 7'2", 250 lbs
Age: 18
Nationality: South Sudan
Pro Comparison: Mark Williams

Tre Johnson is generating top-five buzz from scouts, but they also believe Khaman Maluach will remain highly enticing, particularly after workouts. And the idea of 7'6" length, defensive mobility, elite finishing, physical screening and potentially some shooting range figures to look extra attractive next to Scottie Barnes.

Scouts don't sound concerned by Maluach's raw offense or pedestrian shot-blocking numbers. At his size with the way he moves, they see a surefire finishing weapon and defensive disruptor whose pre-Duke flashes of shotmaking hint at another route to offensive upside.

Given Maluach's limited role with the Blue Devils, he's a candidate to sell more teams during workouts with some masked shooting range for a prospect who's likely to measure similarly to Rudy Gobert.

Bleacher Report

[Jamaaliver]

Kid looks like an absolute monster.

He's packed on so much muscle since last summer, I can only imagine what he'll look like after 2+ years in an NBA training program.

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[CP War Hawks]

No the Hawks shouldn't invest trying to move up for him. He's a super long term project.

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From the site occasionally known as The Athletic:

Spoiler:

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Others see a big man with questionable hands, a limited skill set that likely will resign him toward being a low-usage big and a lack of real vertical pop that could hinder him in ball-screen actions as a roller. Everyone at least sees Maluach as sticking in the NBA as at least a backup center because players this big who can move like he can just don’t wash out of the league, especially when the league itself has a dearth of backup bigs.

But others see real upside for him as a league-average starter with potential for more if his jumper comes around. Seeing how he plays in the NCAA Tournament will be fascinating given that teams will game plan for him more substantially and backup center Maliq Brown, who has been more valuable than Maluach this year, is injured.

[Jamaaliver]

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[Jamaaliver]

I honestly believe he has a shot at being just as effective as Wemby...on defense.

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[Jamaaliver]

Not sure if you guys are aware of this:

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[CP War Hawks]

Thabeet 2.0 vibes... long as the Hawks don't go overboard drafting up from the Sac pick.

[Jamaaliver]

I would not be surprised if Hawks package 13 + 22 + Mo Gueye to get this kid...

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[atlantabbq99]

KM's length, athleticism combined with this free throw shooting numbers is kind of jaw dropping. He wouldn't be a liability in the last 2 minutes of a game like most 7foot enforcers.

[Jamaaliver]

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[Jamaaliver]

Sam Vecenie of the Athletic has Atlanta trading #13 and #22 to move up for Duke Center Khaman Maluach.

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