Top 2024 big man Khaman Maluach commits to Duke

Field Level Media|published: Wed 6th March, 15:16 2024

Jan 20, 2024; Durham, North Carolina, USA; Duke recruit Khaman Maluach leaves the court after watching a game between the Duke Blue Devils and Pittsburgh Panthers at Cameron Indoor Stadium. The Panthers won 80-76. credits: Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports

Five-star center Khaman Maluach announced his commitment to Duke on Wednesday.

The 7-foot-2 prospect from NBA Academy Africa in Senegal also visited Kentucky, Kansas and UCLA.

"Duke is home; that's where I belong." Maluach told ESPN. "This was the hardest decision I've ever made. I felt like I could succeed anywhere, but I was most comfortable going to Duke. All the schools that were recruiting me are big-time programs, but in terms of my development and the relationships I built with the coaches, they were the best."

Maluach is ranked No. 1 at his position and No. 6 overall in the Class of 2024 by the 247 Sports composite.

He chose Blue Devils coach Jon Scheyer's program over offers from the NBA G League's Ignite and the Australian NBL's Next Stars program.

Maluach joins a loaded recruiting class at Duke that includes No. 1 overall recruit Cooper Flagg and fellow five-star prospects Isaiah Evans and Kon Knueppel.

"That's going to be something exciting," Maluach told ESPN. "I expect it to be great competition going up against future teammates. We'll get to build our bond stronger after that. This is a big platform to showcase our talent."

Last summer, Maluach helped South Sudan qualify for the upcoming Paris Olympics as a 16-year-old and was also named MVP of the NBA's Basketball Without Borders Africa camp.

ESPN projects Maluach, who turns 18 in September, as the No. 3 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft.

—Field Level Media

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