Article by Darius Stanescu – published on Sunday, June 29, 2025, 20:52 / Updated Sunday, June 29, 2025:52
From Kawpe's dusty streets, a degraded suburb of Kampala, the capital of Uganda, Khaman Maluach (18 years old) dared to dream at impossible. On the morning of June 26, the dream became a reality. The name of the pivot resounded in Barclays Center, being chosen 10th in the NBA draft by Houston Rockets and transferred to Phoenix Suns.
Maluach started playing basketball at 13. The talent took him to the national team of South Sudan, having participation in the World Basketball Championship and the Olympic Games. The 2.18-meter pivot was visibly excited, unable to control his tears while the picture with Commissioner NBA, Adam Silver.
Khaman Maluach, the refugee in the South Sudan, was transferred by Phoenix Suns
“I didn't expect to cry. All my life went through the eyes. My journey, my people and the continent I represent. I believed in myself. I was stubborn with my dreams. It turns out to be possible, no matter how hard things are,” said Maluach.
The young man wore a jacket specially designed for this occasion, with the flags of the South Sudan and the Uganda on the lining. In Entebbe, Uganda, where his family lives, was a big holiday. His mother, Mary, his older brother, Mayok, and the other brothers enjoyed and prayed as soon as they heard his name. Mayok described the moment as a “blessing” for the family and for Africa, according to Abola.P.
Khaman Maluach, playing for the University of Duke's basketball team. Photo: Imago
Khaman Maluach's family was planning to be present, but their visa applications were rejected due to the US travel prohibition for South Sudan citizens. Only his sister, Agum Madit, who lives in Australia, managed to attend the New York event.
His Solid Skills Academy coach from Kampala, Wall Deng, who discovered, could not be present either. “It was a terrible bad luck. We kidnapped us with joy,” Deng Deng for BBC Sport Africa.
“Despite all things, we are very proud of him. It is like a dream come true. See how far it has come … It is a moment of immense joy,” he said.
“The closest land was one hour walking and I didn't even have shoes.” A motorcyclist encouraged it as 13 years old to take up basketball
After being chosen by Rockets and transferred to Suns immediately, Maluach will receive a P1 visa, granted to professional athletes. Born in 2006, in Rumbek, South Sudan, Khaman Maluach took refuge with his family in Uganda to escape the war. He grew up with his mother and his other six brothers in Kawmpe. At the age of 13, a motorcyclist passing on the street next to him encouraged to take on basketball due to his height.
“The closest land was one hour walking and I didn't even have shoes,” Maluach told BBC Sport Africa last year.
His talent was quickly recognized by the coaches Deng and Garag: “He learned very quickly. I told him that this child will become important.”
In just one year, Maluach obtained a scholarship at the NBA Africa Academy, Dakar, Senegal. At 16, he was playing in the national Sudan's national team, along with Wenyen Gabriel, helping her qualify for her first Olympic games.
“It is a day that I will never forget,” he said, after being the 10th chosen in the NBA draft. Maluach has big ambitions. He wants to reach the Hall of Fame NBA, having as models Giannis Fatekounmpo and Joel Embid.
“I believed in myself before anyone else,” he said, completing, “God take care of the rest.”
