Duke’s Khaman Maluach included in South Sudanese player pool

May 2, 2024 Vaseline stjohnson 0

Duke Blue Devils commit Khaman Maluach was among 50 players named to South Sudan’s training camp roster for the 2024 Olympics in Paris, France.

The preliminary list includes several other players from the group that earned a spot in the Olympics by finishing as the top African team at the FIBA ​​Basketball World Cup 2023, such as Wenyen Gabriel, Peter Jok, Carlik Jones and Marial Shayok.

The group finished 17th overall in the event and posted a 3-2 record.

Apart from Maluach, South Sudan also selected newcomers such as Bol Bol, Makur Maker, Thon Maker and JT Thor, among others. The team will eventually reduce its roster to 12 players for the Games.

Maluach became the third-youngest player to play in the FIBA ​​Basketball World Cup last year with South Sudan. He had eight points, 15 rebounds and three blocks in four games to help South Sudan earn its first Olympic berth.

The 7-footer is considered a potential top-five pick in the 2025 NBA draft as an international prospect born in 2006. He is highly touted for his size and versatility as a player who can shoot and defend, with his reported 7 feet . Wingspan of 4 1/2 inches and standing reach of 9 feet, 8 inches.

South Sudan, whose president and assistant coach is Luol Deng, will open the Olympics in Group C, along with Serbia, the United States and a team that has not yet earned a spot. The group will play its first match on July 28 and will close the group stage with the United States (July 31) and Serbia (August 3).