Khaman Maluach: From War-Torn South Sudan to NBA Stardom

Khaman Maluach's inspiring journey from South Sudan to becoming the 10th pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, showcasing resilience and talent.

Khaman Maluach's story is one of resilience, determination, and unyielding belief. Born in 2006 in Rumbek, South Sudan, Maluach and his family fled to Uganda to escape the ravages of civil war. Growing up in Kawempe, a disadvantaged suburb of Kampala, Maluach's introduction to basketball was serendipitous. Encouraged by a boda boda (motorcycle taxi) rider, he began playing at the age of 14, often without proper shoes and walking an hour to the nearest court.

Maluach's talent was quickly recognized by local coaches Deng and Aketch Garang, who saw in him the potential to become a star. Within a year, he earned a scholarship to the NBA Academy Africa in Dakar, Senegal, marking his first significant step towards the global stage. By 16, he was representing South Sudan's national team, helping them qualify for their first-ever Olympics through stellar performances at the 2023 Fiba World Cup.

On Wednesday evening, Maluach's dream became a reality as he was announced as the 10th pick in the 2025 NBA Draft by the Houston Rockets, who subsequently traded him to the Phoenix Suns. Overcome with emotion, Maluach shared, 'I believed in myself. I was delusional about my dreams. No matter what the odds are against you, it shows that you can win.'

Despite visa issues preventing his family from attending the draft, Maluach's mother, Mary Aweng, and siblings celebrated back home in Entebbe, Uganda. His sister Agum Madit, based in Australia, was the only family member present in New York. Maluach's coach, Wal Deng, expressed immense pride, stating, 'Seeing him go from learning the basics to the highest level is really something rare.'

Maluach's journey is not just a personal triumph but a beacon of hope for millions of African children. 'I want to change the narrative of how people see Africa,' he said. 'I'm thinking about showing them the great places in Africa like Kigali, Senegal, safaris. The cultures and the people we have is different from the stuff they see on TV.'

As he prepares to don the Phoenix Suns jersey, Maluach is focused on learning, improving, and staying consistent. His ambitions are lofty, with dreams of reaching the NBA Hall of Fame and sharing the court with his idols, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Joel Embiid. 'I believed in myself before anyone else did,' he said. 'Let God take care of the rest.'

Maluach's meteoric rise from war-torn South Sudan to the NBA is a testament to the power of belief and persistence, inspiring countless others to dream big and achieve the impossible.

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