Khaman Maluach goes from Sudanese refugee to the NBA

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The Phoenix Suns' roster will look vastly totally different this fall.

Just some days earlier than the 2025 NBA Draft, studies of a trade involving Kevin Durant surfaced. The deal is anticipated to ship the two-time NBA champion to the Houston Rockets, ESPN reported Sunday.

The Rockets held the tenth general decide within the draft and chosen 7-foot-2 Khaman Maluach Wednesday. The previous Duke standout was subsequently despatched to Phoenix as a part of the package deal of gamers and picks included within the Durant deal, in accordance with ESPN.

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Khaman Maluach arrives earlier than the primary spherical of the 2025 NBA Draft at Barclays Middle in Brooklyn June 25, 2025. (Brad Penner/Imagn Photographs)

Maluach was visibly emotional moments after NBA Commissioner Adam Silver introduced his identify from the draft stage.

Maluach was raised in Uganda after his household fled Sudan when the nation was ravaged by battle.

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He did not begin taking part in basketball till he was 14 years outdated, when a cab driver stopped and acknowledged his stature.

Khaman Maluach of the Phoenix Suns speaks to the media after being drafted tenth general within the 2025 NBA Draft at Barclays Middle June 25, 2025, in Brooklyn, N.Y. Maluach was drafted by the Houston Rockets and traded to the Phoenix Suns. (Mike Lawrie/Getty Photographs)

Maluach was a member of the South Sudan nationwide basketball group that pushed Workforce USA to the brink on the Paris Olympics. Earlier than touchdown in Durham, North Carolina, Maluach competed at NBA Academy Africa. He's now the highest-drafted participant from the academy.

"I’m right here representing the entire continent," Maluach instructed ESPN moments after he walked throughout the draft stage and shook Silver's hand on the Barclays Middle in Brooklyn, New York.

"Dwelling in Africa, I had the entire continent on my again, giving hope to younger children, inspiring younger children and the subsequent technology of African basketball."

Khaman Maluach stands with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver after being chosen tenth by the Houston Rockets within the first spherical of the 2025 NBA Draft at Barclays Middle in Brooklyn, N.Y., June 25, 2025. (Brad Penner/Imagn Photographs)

Maluach averaged 8.6 factors, 6.6 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per sport throughout his lone season at Duke. He began 39 video games for the Blue Devils, who superior to the Ultimate 4 in April.

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Maluach wore a Rockets hat on the draft stage as a result of the reported transaction he was included in has but to develop into official. Maluach wore a Suns hat throughout a press convention after he was drafted. He expressed pleasure about heading to Arizona.

"I am excited to placed on the Phoenix jersey that has my identify, that has 'Maluach' on the again," he instructed reporters. "I am excited to play for the Suns and step on the ground."