Meet one of South Sudan's bright stars: Khaman Maluach

Not everyone could say they have participated and represented their country in the FIBA World Cup at 16 years old. However, this one could very well be the next big thing to come out of African basketball.

Meet teenager Khaman Maluach: a 7’2 prospect who is part of the South Sudan national basketball team.

Maluach, who is projected to be a top pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, just wrapped his successful debut in the World Cup with a few special moments with the team.

The South Sudan Bright Stars finished with a 3-2 slate, making them the top team from Africa and earning them a direct qualification to the Olympics.

“It was like a movie,” Maluach described.

He knew the importance of this accomplishment to the people of South Sudan. As former NBA player and South Sudan basketball federation president Luol Deng said, “It’s bigger than basketball.”

Facing the best in the world

Maluach started to get the attention of the basketball community when he joined the NBA Academy Africa in Senegal where he was able to see some legitimate competition. When he attended Basketball Without Borders in 2023, he was named the camp MVP.

Even with his early triumphs, Maluach recognized that there are still a lot of work to be done, and facing the best teams in the world opened his eyes about his game and how he fared against more experienced and stronger professional players.

“It’s different. They’re way stronger than me so I have to find ways to play guys stronger than me. I have to get stronger, too,” Maluach said candidly.

Being aware of what he needs to improve, Maluach look to Giannis Antetokounmpo and Joel Embiid as inspirations to improve his game.

“I don’t feel like I’m not too close [to their game]. I feel like I’ll be where he is. Giannis, Joel Embiid. Those are the people I look up to,” he shared.

Maluach admitted that he is talking to different schools to be part of their basketball team. This is the next logical step to fulfill his NBA dream.

“Yeah. That’s my goal.”

16-year-old South Sudanese prospect Khaman Maluach aims to get to the NBA. He stands 7 ft. 2 in.@gmasportsph @gmanews #FIBAWC pic.twitter.com/UbRGQZo1FW

— Martin Javier (@martindjavier) September 2, 2023

In the meantime, he plans on working on his game, which includes improving his ball handling, strength, and shooting. He has also found a mentor in teammate and Lakers big man Wenyen Gabriel.

“All the time time he tells me: keep on walking.”

When asked about his NBA goal, he answered with conviction.

“I want to go to the NBA and leave my mark there.”

—JKC, GMA Integrated News