A powerful 2024 center will be behind the Duke basketball bench when the Blue Devils host Pitt.
The Duke basketball staff is set to host NBA Academy Africa big man Khaman Maluach this weekend, On3’s Joe Tipton reported on Monday. His trip to Durham coincides with the Cameron Indoor Stadium matchup between the No. 7 Blue Devils (13-3, 4-1 ACC) and unranked Pitt (10-6, 1-4 ACC) at 8 p.m. ET Saturday (ACC Network).
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Maluach, a 7-foot-2, 235-pound South Sudan native who’s absent from most sites’ rankings due to his international status but is a projected five-star prospect, landed an offer from Duke basketball head coach Jon Scheyer in August. At the time, he was in the 2025 class, but he announced his move to 2024 in December.
And as of Long Island Lutheran (N.Y.) five-star guard VJ Edgecombe’s commitment to Baylor over Duke and Kentucky on Sunday night, Khaman Maluach is the only undecided 2024 talent remaining on the reported Blue Devil wishlist.
There’s no doubt the versatile giant is a priority target and has significant interest in Duke, as the upcoming official visit will be the first in his recruitment.
Khaman Malauch showed off his shot-making and rim-protecting prowess in NBA Academy Africa's win at the G League Winter Showcase. The 7-foot-2 South Sudanese big man is a projected lottery pick in 2025. pic.twitter.com/4vf2nQLywY
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) December 21, 2023
Furthermore, Scheyer and his crew might have help behind the scenes in 2003-04 Duke basketball one-and-done Luol Deng. He’s president of the South Sudan basketball federation and served as an assistant for the country’s first FIBA World Cup appearance this past summer, and Maluach was the youngest player on that team.
According to On3, which ranks the long-limbed 17-year-old at No. 15 overall among his 2024 peers, Duke is one of only three schools that have entered the fray for his potentially one-and-done services. UCLA and Georgetown are the other two known suitors.
Meanwhile, the Blue Devils enjoy the nation’s premier 2024 recruiting haul with five heralded signees already in tow, including the top-ranked senior prep in five-star phenom forward Cooper Flagg.
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