Duke’s Offseason Plans Take a Hit as Khaman Maluach Announces NBA Decision

The waiting game that felt like forever has finally ended. After what seemed like a lifetime of refresh-checking and rumor-chasing, Isaiah Evans, Maliq Brown, Darren Harris, Caleb Foster, and Patrick Ngongba all officially announced they’re sticking around at Duke. Meanwhile, Cooper Flagg, Kon Knueppel, and Tyrese Proctor decided it was NBA Draft time. From day one, though, it was Evans, Flagg, and Khaman Maluach who could’ve turned this into one of the most stacked Duke draft classes we’ve seen in a hot minute. Evans chose to run it back, Flagg declared… but Maluach had us all hanging by a thread.

Well…it’s finally official! Saturday night, Khaman Maluach made the big move and declared for the NBA Draft pool as an early entrant. The 7’2″ center from South Sudan, who’s still just 18 years old, has been a projected lottery pick for months. But the delay in his announcement had a lot of people sweating because of some uncertainty around his immigration status.

Even though he didn’t come out and say much about it directly, Maluach let his Instagram story do the talking. He posted lyrics from Rod Wave’s 2023 track “Long Journey.” “Dear God, I thank You for Everything You gave to us, uh You kept them devils away from us, uh And You finally made a way for us, I say.” Felt like a little window into everything he’s been dealing with.

So now, Duke’s got  two lottery guys heading to the draft. Great for program history, not-so-great for Jon Scheyer’s offseason plans. You know how roster retention has become like the thing in college hoops lately, especially with the transfer portal looking like a free-for-all. 

BREAKING: Khaman Maluach has declared for the NBA Draft.

Sky is the limit. Go be great, @khaman_maluach!

pic.twitter.com/5EXzAOA3V7

— Ryan Lommen (@TheDukeNation) April 27, 2025

And Scheyeractually crushed it as Duke is one of just three programs (Tennessee and Boston U) that didn’t lose a single scholarship player to the portal this offseason. The only catch is they haven’t added anyone either. No secret weapon transfers. Just holding tight and hoping that keeping the core intact will pay off and betting on recruits. 

Developing Story….

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