South Sudan made a loud statement ahead of the 2024 Paris Olympics, taking Team USA down to the wire in a close one-point loss in their exhibition showdown.
For a country making its first-ever men's basketball Olympic appearance, competing with one of the most decorated teams in United States history is no small feat.
South Sudan is an up-and-coming program coached by former NBA player Royal Ivey. He has compiled a roster of several current and former NBA players, including Carlik Jones, Marial Shayok, Wenyen Gabriel, Peter Jok and JT Thor.
But there is one future star who will pop off the screen if you tune into the game: 7-2 center Khaman Maluach, who is the youngest player on any men's basketball Olympic roster.
The 17-year-old is a Duke commit who will join USA Select Team star Cooper Flagg to build a terrorizing frontcourt in Durham next season. Get to know more about Maluach below.
MORE: Ranking Team USA's players at the pre-Olympics midway point
Who is Khaman Maluach?
Maluach is a 17-year-old from South Sudan. The 7-2 prospect is a product of NBA Academy Africa, but his journey to where he is now is much more complicated than that.
He was noticed by NBA scouts in Africa at 14 years old after he, his mother and his brothers moved to Uganda to flee Sudan during a time of war, according to an incredible feature by The Athletic's Joe Vardon on Maluach.
He didn't start playing basketball until he was 13 years old and was self-taught, watching videos of his favorite player, Giannis Antetokounmpo, on YouTube. Maluach also cited Joel Embiid and Kevin Durant as two of his other idols — three fitting blueprints to follow as players with similar size and skills.
Maluach isn't as raw as you would expect from a 7-foot teenage prospect who didn't seriously start training until about four years ago.
He's mobile and fluid with smooth footwork. His defense is his most polished skill, playing with an attitude in the paint as a rim protector. He isn't afraid to handle the ball, he's a capable passer and most impressively, he can shoot.
When you paint the picture of Maluach's profile, it's no wonder why he garnered the attention he did as a rising prospect.
At 14 years old, Maluach was the youngest player ever enrolled at an NBA Academy school. The NBA Academy pipeline has also produced top-10 picks, including Josh Giddey, Bennedict Mathurin and Dyson Daniels.
Maluach made the South Sudan FIBA World Cup team last summer, becoming the third-youngest player to ever compete in the tournament as a 16-year-old.
Now, he will represent his country on the Olympic stage as a 17-year-old and is a projected lottery pick in the 2025 NBA Draft.
MORE: Team USA found its answer for Nikola Jokic — and it's not Joel Embiid
Khaman Maluach recruiting
Maluach was a five-star recruit, the No. 4-ranked player and the No. 1-ranked center in the class of 2025, according to 247Sports.
He had offers from high-major schools like UCLA, Kentucky and Kansas but elected to take his talents to Duke.
Maluach is one of three five-star recruits in the Blue Devils' No. 1-ranked class for the 2025 season. He will join Flagg to make one of college basketball's best frontcourts, as well as five-star, No. 13-ranked small forward Isaiah Evans.
MORE: Cooper Flagg vs. Team USA: Duke star shows why he's likely No. 1 pick in 2025 NBA Draft
Khaman Maluach pronunciation
In an interview at the 2023 G League Winter Showcase, Maluach sounded out his pronunciation for a reporter.
His first name is pronounced "Kah-mahn" and his last name is pronounced "Mah-lu-watch."
