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The Houston Rockets selected Duke center Khaman Maluach on behalf of the Phoenix Suns with the No. 10 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft.
The draft selection is heading to the Suns as part of the Kevin Durant blockbuster trade.
Maluach, 18, had a great season with Duke, earning ACC All-Freshman team honors. He was an intimidating figure in the paint for the Blue Devils, who made it to the NCAA Tournament's Final Four.
Bio
Position: Center
School: Duke
Height: 7-foot-1
Weight: 252
Wingspan: 7-foot-7
Max vertical: 30 inches
2024-25 statistics at Duke:
| GP | FG% | 3PT% | FT% | REB | BLK | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 39 | 71.2 | 25 | 76.6 | 6.6 | 1.3 | 8.6 |
The South Sudan international is arguably the best defensive center in his draft class. He flourished at Duke because of his ability to guard the paint and swat away anyone who challenged him. He was also effective finishing around the basket, and his field-goal percentage was the second highest on the Blue Devils.
Maluach's biggest concerns are his below-average hands and slow feet at times. Because of his young age, Maluach can improve these things to become an elite rebounder.
NBA comparison: Rudy Gobert. Maluach and Gobert are not going to put up 20-plus points per game, but they can disrupt opposing team's offenses. They both stand 7-foot-1, and their big frames make opponents second guess entering the paint.