On Wednesday, five-star center Khaman Maluach confirmed his commitment to Duke.
The 7-foot-2 recruit from NBA Academy Africa in Senegal also paid visits to Kentucky, Kansas, and UCLA.
“Duke is home; that’s where I belong.” Maluach informed ESPN. “This was the most difficult decision I’ve ever made. I felt like I could excel anyplace, but Duke was the most comfortable for me. All of the schools that were recruiting me are top-tier programs, but they were the best in terms of my development and the relationships I formed with the coaches.”
The 247 Sports Composite ranks Maluach first at his position and sixth overall in the Class of 2024.
He picked Blue Devils coach Jon Scheyer’s program over the NBA G League’s Ignite and the Australian NBL’s Next Stars programs.
Maluach joins Duke’s powerful recruiting class, which includes No. 1 overall recruit Cooper Flagg and fellow five-star players Isaiah Evans and Kon Knueppel.
“That’s going to be something exciting,” Maluach told ESPN. “I anticipate intense competition against future colleagues. We will be able to strengthen our friendship after that. This is a great opportunity to display our ability.”
Maluach, who was 16 at the time, helped South Sudan qualify for the upcoming Paris Olympics and was awarded MVP of the NBA’s Basketball Without Borders Africa camp last summer.
Maluach, who turns 18 in September, is projected by ESPN to be the third overall choice in the 2025 NBA Draft.
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