From Refugee to NBA: The Incredible Journey of 2025 10th Overall Pick Khaman Maluach

Here’s a story that proves nothing is impossible. In the 2025 NBA Draft, the Phoenix Suns used their 10th overall pick to select Khaman Maluach — a name that just a few years ago was unknown outside of refugee camps in East Africa. Now, he’s bound for the biggest basketball stage in the world.

But how did a boy from war-torn South Sudan rise to become one of the NBA’s most promising prospects?

Let’s rewind the journey.

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Humble Beginnings

Born on September 14, 2006, in Rumbek, South Sudan, Khaman and his family were forced to flee the country due to ongoing conflict. They resettled in Kawempe, Uganda, where they lived as refugees. Life was hard — no luxuries, only survival and sacrifice.

In 2019, everything changed.

One day, while walking down a street in Uganda, Khaman — already towering for his age — caught the attention of a boda-boda (motorcycle taxi) driver. That stranger asked him a simple question:
“Do you play basketball?”
That moment set the wheels in motion.

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A Chance Encounter Leads to Destiny

The driver referred Khaman to a local basketball camp organized by former NBA star Luol Deng — himself a South Sudanese legend. There, Khaman’s potential began to shine. His height (he now stands at 7'2") and natural instincts were undeniable.

He was soon offered a spot at the prestigious NBA Academy Africa in Senegal — an elite program that combines education and high-level basketball training. From there, the dream started to look real.

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Building a Resume Like No Other

Khaman’s rise has been nothing short of phenomenal:

• 2022: Debuted in the Basketball Africa League (BAL) with Cobra Sport at just 15.
• 2023: Played his second BAL season with AS Douanes (Senegal) and helped lead them to the finals.
• 2024: Suited up for City Oilers (Uganda), dropping a career-high 29 points, 11 rebounds, and 7 blocks — one of the best single-game stat lines in BAL history.
• MVP of the 2023 Basketball Without Borders Camp in South Africa.

But he wasn’t just making waves in Africa.

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A Young Star on the Global Stage

At just 16 years old, Maluach was selected to join the South Sudan men’s national team for the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup. He contributed valuable minutes to a historic campaign that earned South Sudan a ticket to the 2024 Paris Olympics — the first in the nation’s history.

Then came a major commitment: in March 2024, he announced he would be playing college ball for Duke University, joining fellow top recruit Cooper Flagg. He later declared for the NBA Draft after strong international buzz.

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Dreams Realized

Fast forward to June 2025 — the moment every young baller dreams of. With the 10th pick, the Phoenix Suns called Khaman Maluach’s name. From the dusty streets of Uganda to the bright lights of the NBA, the kid who was once overlooked is now set to match up against the likes of Nikola Jokić, Joel Embiid, and Victor Wembanyama.

His journey is proof:

"It doesn’t matter where you come from. With hard work, faith, and focus — the NBA isn’t just a dream. It’s real."

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Khaman Maluach is more than just a rising star. He’s living proof that greatness can come from anywhere.                             

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