2025 NBA Draft Scouting Report: Khaman Maluach, C, Duke
Overview
Khaman Maluach, a 7’1” center hailing from Duke University, is emerging as one of the most intriguing prospects in the 2025 NBA Draft. Known for his size, athleticism, and evolving skill set, Maluach is drawing comparisons to some of the most dominant centers of the modern NBA, though he remains a bit raw. With a rare blend of physical gifts and untapped potential, he could very well be one of the top picks of the draft if he continues to develop as expected over the next season.
While the hype surrounding Maluach is largely based on his unique combination of size, agility, and defensive prowess, his overall game is still a work in progress. As one of the youngest players to ever come out of Duke, Maluach has the potential to grow into a true two-way center, but a variety of questions remain as to how quickly he can refine his skills and adjust to the NBA’s level of play. Nevertheless, scouts are keeping a close eye on his development, making him a focal point of this year’s draft discussions.
Background
Born in South Sudan and raised in the United States, Khaman Maluach’s journey to college basketball was not the typical path. After spending time at multiple high schools, he eventually landed at Duke University, a program renowned for developing elite talent. Maluach has played just one full season for the Blue Devils, but he immediately impressed with his physical tools and made a name for himself as one of the top young centers in college basketball. Maluach’s ascent from a raw prospect to one of the nation’s top big men has generated a significant amount of buzz, but his success in the NBA is far from guaranteed. Still, he possesses the fundamentals and athleticism that make him a tantalizing prospect.
Physical Profile
Khaman Maluach stands at 7 feet 1 inch and weighs in at 250 pounds. His frame is both tall and long, with a wingspan that stretches over 7’6″. This combination of height, length, and strength gives him an imposing presence in both the paint and on the boards. His vertical leap and lateral agility are above average for a player of his size, allowing him to impact both ends of the floor in multiple ways.
Maluach’s body is still maturing, and as he develops his strength and conditioning, he could become even more physically dominant. At present, he’s agile enough to play both pick-and-roll defense and serve as a rim protector, while still possessing the mobility to run the floor in transition and guard away from the basket when necessary.
Strengths
1. Rim Protection and Shot-Blocking
One of Maluach’s defining traits is his shot-blocking ability. His length and timing allow him to be a consistent presence around the rim, deterring opponents from attacking the basket. He has the athleticism to contest shots above the rim, and his instincts for when to jump and when to remain grounded are still improving. In his lone season at Duke, Maluach averaged 2.4 blocks per game, showing his ability to impact the defensive end on a consistent basis. His rim protection not only stifles opposing shooters but also deters teams from entering the paint altogether.
Maluach is still refining his ability to defend without fouling, but his shot-blocking potential gives him a high floor as a defender at the next level.
2. Athleticism and Mobility
For a player of his size, Maluach possesses excellent mobility. His ability to run the floor in transition and move laterally in pick-and-roll situations is rare for a center of his stature. Duke frequently used him in high-flying alley-oop plays, taking advantage of his ability to finish above the rim with ease.
Additionally, his lateral quickness allows him to switch onto smaller players and hold his own on the perimeter. Although he is still a work in progress as a perimeter defender, his mobility makes him a more versatile defender than many centers who are solely focused on protecting the rim.
3. Rebounding and Physical Presence
Maluach is an elite rebounder, both on the offensive and defensive glass. His size, combined with his motor, allows him to secure boards in traffic. He’s quick to react to missed shots, often positioning himself to grab contested rebounds or tip the ball back into play. His 11.3 rebounds per game in his lone season at Duke illustrate his potential to contribute in this area right away at the next level.
His strength allows him to battle for position in the paint, and he uses his size to box out opponents effectively. Maluach’s offensive rebounding is also a major strength, as he has a knack for securing put-back opportunities.
4. Finishing Around the Rim
Maluach is a fluid and powerful finisher in the paint. He thrives off pick-and-roll actions, using his agility and vertical leap to rise above defenders and finish with authority. He has excellent hands and often catches difficult passes from his teammates, converting them into easy dunks or layups. His ability to finish around the rim also extends to offensive put-backs, where he can clean up missed shots without hesitation.
Though he’s not a refined post scorer at this point, his size and athleticism make him a threat as a roller to the basket or as a lob target.
Areas for Improvement
1. Post Moves and Low-Post Scoring
While Maluach has all the tools to be a force in the post, he has yet to develop a reliable set of low-post moves. His footwork remains raw, and he often relies on his athleticism to finish plays rather than crafting offensive moves in the paint. His hook shot, drop step, and other classic post moves still need significant refinement before he can be an offensive centerpiece in the post.
Though he does show flashes of dominance around the basket, his ability to score in the low post is something that will need to be developed through coaching and repetition.
2. Shooting Range and Offensive Versatility
At this stage of his development, Maluach is not known for his shooting ability, especially from mid-range or beyond the arc. He has shown some potential to knock down mid-range jumpers in practice, but it has not consistently translated to game action. His shooting form remains a work in progress, and his ability to stretch the floor is a question mark.
For Maluach to truly evolve into a two-way threat at the NBA level, improving his shooting range will be essential. If he can develop even a reliable mid-range jumper, he would become a much more versatile offensive player, capable of stretching defenses and creating more opportunities for his teammates.
3. Ball Handling and Passing
While Maluach has shown some improvement as a passer, especially when hitting cutters or finding teammates off pick-and-rolls, his ball handling is still limited. He can struggle when asked to put the ball on the floor or initiate offense in the half-court. Developing better control of the basketball and improving his court vision would allow him to become a more complete offensive player.
He has the potential to be a better passer with added experience, but for now, his primary role remains as a rim protector and finisher, rather than as a playmaking center.
4. Defensive Consistency
Despite his obvious shot-blocking and rebounding potential, Maluach is still refining his defensive consistency. He can be caught out of position at times and struggles with fouling in certain situations. His awareness on rotations and help defense is improving, but like many young centers, he can still be caught out of sync at times.
Maluach must also work on defending in space, especially when switching on smaller players. His lateral quickness is a positive, but he must continue to improve his decision-making when defending on the perimeter.
NBA Projection
Khaman Maluach projects to be a rim-protecting center in the NBA with strong potential as a role player, particularly on defense and the boards. If he develops his shooting and post moves, he could evolve into a high-impact two-way big man capable of playing in a variety of offensive and defensive schemes. His athleticism, shot-blocking ability, and rebounding are all NBA-ready, and he’s likely to contribute as an elite defender and rim protector early in his career.
While his offensive game may take time to develop, his physical tools are rare, and with the right coaching, he could become a valuable asset for a team in need of a versatile, athletic center. Maluach’s trajectory will depend on his ability to expand his offensive skill set and become a more polished player overall, but as a 7’1” center with elite defensive abilities, he is a highly enticing prospect for NBA teams.
Final Thoughts
Khaman Maluach is one of the more tantalizing big-man prospects in the 2025 NBA Draft. His combination of size, athleticism, and defensive potential is rare and gives him a high ceiling. However, his rawness in several areas, including scoring and ball handling, means he will need time to develop before he reaches his full potential at the NBA level.
For teams looking to add a long-term project with massive upside, Maluach is a prospect worth targeting. With his high motor, shot-blocking ability, and rebounding prowess, he could be a transformative defensive presence who also has the potential to evolve into a more well-rounded offensive player. The next year will be critical for Maluach’s development, and how he performs in his second season at Duke will likely dictate his standing in the 2025 NBA Draft.
As it stands, Khaman Maluach is a player whose upside could make him a lottery pick, but his developmental timeline remains uncertain. Regardless