Khaman Maluach, a towering 7-foot-1 centre who once played basketball in Crocs on the streets of Kawempe, a disadvantaged suburb on the outskirts of Kampala, Uganda, has been drafted 10th overall in the 2025 NBA Draft. The 18-year-old phenom, who has already represented South Sudan at the FIBA World Cup and Olympic Games, made history on Wednesday night as his name echoed across the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, solidifying his place among basketball’s rising elite.
Overcome with emotion as he posed with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, Maluach shed tears of joy, reflecting on a journey that defied immense odds. “I didn’t think I was going to cry,” he admitted. “But everything was just going through my head my whole journey, my people, and the continent I represent. I believed in myself. I was delusional about my dreams. No matter what the odds are against you, it shows that you can win.”
Maluach’s tailored suit jacket, lined with the flags of South Sudan and Uganda, was a visual tribute to the two nations that shaped his life and sporting identity. The dual symbolism reflected not only his South Sudanese roots but also the country that nurtured his basketball talent.
Back in Entebbe, Uganda, where Maluach’s family resides, scenes of pure celebration broke out. His mother, Mary Aweng, older brother Majok Madit Maluach, and other siblings danced and prayed as his name was called. “It’s a blessing not just for our family but for Africa as a whole,” Majok said in a heartfelt reaction.
Despite their hopes to attend the event, visa restrictions dampened the moment for most of the family. Due to a U.S. travel ban affecting South Sudanese nationals, their visa applications were denied. Only his sister, Agum Madit, who lives in Australia, was able to join him in Brooklyn. His first coach from Solid Skills Academy in Kampala, Wal Deng, also had his trip blocked.
“That was really unfortunate. It has taken part of our joy,” Deng told BBC Sport Africa. “But nevertheless, we’re so, so proud of him. Seeing how far he’s come from learning the basics to now entering the NBA this is a moment of immense joy.”
Maluach was discovered by Solid Skills Academy just five years ago, and in a meteoric rise, he went on to star at NBA Academy Africa and secure a place with Duke University in the United States. While studying at Duke, he held an F1 student visa. However, this status was paused by the U.S. government in April as part of a broader ban affecting South Sudan. His visa status later shifted to a tourist visa while he awaited the NBA Draft.
Now officially an NBA athlete, Maluach will transition to a P1 visa, a category reserved for internationally recognized athletes. The P1 visa allows professional athletes to work and reside in the U.S. and is commonly held by NBA players from outside the country.
Maluach’s draft into the NBA marks a significant milestone for African basketball. As the continent continues to produce world-class talent, his success story stands as a beacon of hope for young players across Africa. From barefoot runs to school, to global stardom on one of the sport’s biggest stages, Khaman Maluach’s rise is nothing short of inspirational.
His journey echoes the path of fellow African basketball icons like Joel Embiid, Pascal Siakam, and Manute Bol and now, he steps onto the court as one of the NBA’s brightest young stars, proudly representing South Sudan, Uganda, and the continent of Africa.
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