In the 2025 draft, the Suns selected Kaman Maluach with the No. 10 pick that he exchanged from the Rockets. At that moment, he was trembling all over. What we don’t know is that he really changed his fate at that moment.
✍️Born
Maluach was born in the town of Rumbak, Lake State of South Sudan. Rumbec was once an important cultural and political center, but was deeply affected by the conflict that has plagued South Sudan for decades.
South Sudan broke away from Sudan's independence in 2011 after a long and cruel civil war, but it has been difficult to achieve stability after independence. Just two years after independence, South Sudan fell into a civil war again in 2013, which lasted until 2018.
The conflict was rooted in political and racial tensions, and the government led by former Sudanese President Omar Bashir deliberately incited conflicts between the Dinka and Nuer (a strategy of division and governance) before South Sudan's independence, exacerbating tensions. The conflict has displaced millions of people and the country is devastated. Even today, South Sudan is still fragile, and the threat of re-exploding violence follows.
Like many South Sudanese families, Maluachi's parents seek a way out for the safety of their children and a better future. When he was young and unable to remember, his family made a difficult decision to leave their homes and seek asylum in Uganda.
"I actually don't remember when I left South Sudan...I have no impression of moving to Uganda. I only know that I grew up in Uganda," said Maluach.
✍️Growing
Kavenpe District, the capital of Uganda, became Maluach's new home. Despite the hardships of life, his childhood in Cavenpe was not without joy and opportunities.
Uganda's vibrant culture and community provide him with a good environment to grow, and he has also cultivated a passion for football (supporting Manchester United). However, it wasn't until he was a teenager that he discovered his true passion: basketball.
✍️Basketball
Maluachi is relatively late in contact with basketball, especially in the context of many athletes in modern sports training since childhood. In late 2019, 13-year-old MaluAchi participated in a basketball training camp organized by the Ruhr-Deng Foundation. This moment proved to be a turning point in his life.
Rur Deng, a former NBA player, also from South Sudan, played an important role in promoting basketball development in South Sudan and its overseas diaspora communities. Deng’s foundation aims to use basketball as an empowering tool to provide young people with opportunities to develop skills, shape character, and escape poverty and conflict cycles.
For Maluach, this training camp is more than just an introduction to the sport - it is a door to a new world full of possibilities.
✍️Gare attention
In 2021, Maluach's talent and Roll Deng's active recommendations won him the opportunity to enter the NBA Academy African Branch. This elite training centre in Sali, Senegal, offers world-class coaching, education and opportunities to compete in international competitions, providing young players like Maluach with the tools they need to succeed at the highest level of sports.
While at NBA Academy, MaluAchi continued to improve his skills and seized every opportunity to perform well through the BAL Rising Star Program, which allocated the college's top talents to professional teams every year.
✍️Breakthrough
Through the BAL Rising Star Program of the African Basketball League, MaluAchi's potential for rapid growth as a player is obvious. He has made significant progress every year in competing with high-level basketball players. The
BAL Rising Stars Program aims to develop young African talents by integrating them into professional teams, which plays a key role in the growth of Maluach. Fighting with experienced professional players and top opponents in BAL allows him to hone his skills and gain valuable experience.
Maluach's performance is often a key factor in the team's success, and his development has always been closely watched by scouts and analysts. Every season, he has made significant progress on both offense and defense. His growth in the league not only benefited his team, but also increased his popularity as one of the most promising young players in African basketball.
✍️National Team
2023 Men's Basketball World Cup, Maluach, who was only 16 years old, played for South Sudan, becoming the youngest player in the event and the third youngest player in the history of the World Cup.
The following year, he represented the national team in the Olympics and twice played against the star-studded American team before and during the Olympics. In a friendly match before the Olympics, he contributed an impressive 7 points, 3 rebounds and 1 block against the United States, which had LeBron James, Stephen Curry, Jason Tatum and Joel Embiid. The US team only narrowly won 101-100, avoiding an uproar.
US coach Steve Cole admitted that the team was not prepared enough and was not sufficient against South Sudan, and they learned their lessons when the two teams met again in the Olympics. In that game, the United States put pressure on MaluAchi, revealing his inexperienced weaknesses and eventually won 103-86.
Nevertheless, considering that he was only 17 years old and had never played in the American basketball system, Maluarch's performance in two games against the United States was a miracle. After a year at Duke, he is now more fully prepared for the high-pressure environment in the NBA.
✍️Duke University
Joining Duke University, a prestigious American basketball school, is another major leap in Malu Archie's journey. At Duke, MaluAchi gradually grew into a key role for the team and made an important contribution to the team's success.
His presence on the field is transformative, providing Duke with the dominance of the inside and a reliable scoring point. MaluAchi's influence was particularly prominent in the Atlantic Coast League (ACC) men's basketball championships, and he played a key role in helping Duke win the championship.
His performance throughout the tournament was amazing, making him the first team of the championship team. This honor proves his skill, determination and ability to play under pressure.
At Duke, Maluarch continued to polish his ball skills, worked with top coaches, and fought side by side with his talented teammates. His time at Duke not only honed his basketball skills, but also prepared him for the challenge of professional basketball. As he continues to shine in the college field, people's expectations for his future entry into the NBA are increasing day by day.
✍️NBA Draft Popular
Maluach's rapid rise and continued progress have made him one of the most watched potential new stars in this year's NBA Draft. He is 2.18 meters tall and has a rare combination of physical talents among big players that modern NBA teams dream of - both body shape, athleticism and technology. What makes him a popular rookie is not only his physical condition, but also his ability to prove at the highest level.
MaluAchi not only improves every year, but also proves his worth in confrontation with other top rookies in American college basketball. His performance at Duke, especially during the ACC Championship, demonstrated his dominance against elite-level opponents. The first team selected for the Championship All-A-Team is clearly showing his influence and preparation for a higher level of play.
The 2.18-meter-tall South Sudan center, from being born in a war-torn country to rising to become a basketball wizard, proves that the human spirit can overcome adversity and dare to pursue dreams in many difficulties.