BAL President Amadou Gallo Fall said being drafted into the NBA is a monumental achievement for Khaman, and a reflection of the predictable pathway that the NBA has helped build for aspiring players across Africa.
Oliver Ochieng
South Sudanese basketball star Khaman Maluach was selected 10th overall in the 2025 NBA draft on Wednesday night, in New York, USA, as he joins Phoenix Suns.
The former NBA Academy Africa and Basketball Africa League (BAL) player became the highest-drafted former NBA Academy Africa and BAL player ever.
The announcement drew raw emotions from the 19-year-old basketballer, who was seen shading tears of joy.
“I am here representing the whole continent,” he announced.
“Living in Africa, I had the whole continent on my back, giving hope to young kids, inspiring young kids and the next generation of African basketball.”
BAL President Amadou Gallo Fall said being drafted into the NBA is a monumental achievement for Khaman, and “a reflection of the predictable pathway that the NBA has helped build for aspiring players across Africa to learn the game and maximize their potential.”
“As rapidly as Khaman has developed as a player, I’m more impressed by his maturity, focus and how he proudly represents his country and continent at the highest levels of the game. On behalf of the entire BAL and NBA Africa family, I congratulate Khaman and wish him all the best as he begins his NBA career. He has worked so hard to make a reality,” he added.
The South Sudanese Basketball association said the country’s greatest natural resource is its youth, adding that sports is a proven way to engage, develop and inspire hope in our young people.
Maluach is the 12th NBA Academy alumnus to be drafted or sign with an NBA team, having averaged 8.6 points, 6.6 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game as a freshman last season, helping Duke reach the 2025 NCAA Men’s final four.
He was 2024-25 All-ACC Honorable Mention, an ACC All-Rookie Team selection, 2025 NCAA East Regional All-Tournament Team member and ACC All-Tournament First Team honoree.
He also represented South Sudan at the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup and 2024 Paris Olympics, becoming the youngest player in both tournaments.
Born in Rumbek, South Sudan, Maluach was raised in Uganda, where he began playing basketball at age 13, before joining NBA Academy Africa at age 14.
During his time at NBA Academy Africa, he was named Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the 2023 Basketball Without Borders (BWB) Africa camp in Johannesburg, South Africa, and Defensive MVP of the BWB Global camp at NBA All-Star 2024 in Indianapolis.
He also played three seasons in the BAL, helping AS Douanes (Senegal) reach the BAL Finals in 2023, where they lost to Egypt’s Al Ahly.
In 2024, Cameroon’s Ulrich Chomche from NBA Academy Africa became the first prospect across all three of the league’s NBA Academies to be drafted directly out of an NBA Academy, after he was selected 57th overall by the Memphis Grizzlies in the 2024 NBA draft.
