From Refugee to NBA Star: 7’2″ Khaman Maluach Drafted Top 10 After Life-Changing Moment on a Ugandan Street……
In one of the most inspiring stories of the 2025 NBA Draft, 18-year-old South Sudanese basketball phenom Khaman Maluach was selected in the top 10, marking a momentous milestone in a journey that began in one of the world’s most unlikely places — a refugee settlement in Uganda.
Standing at a towering 7-foot-2, Maluach has not only become one of the tallest players ever drafted into the NBA, but also one of the most remarkable. His rise to basketball stardom has captivated scouts, fans, and humanitarians alike. Just a few years ago, Maluach was a young refugee walking the dusty streets of Kampala, completely unaware that his life was about to take a dramatic turn.
Maluach’s story began in South Sudan, a country ravaged by civil war. His family fled the conflict when he was still a child, eventually seeking refuge in Uganda. Life in the settlement was difficult — food was scarce, opportunities were limited, and danger was never far away. Yet despite the hardships, Maluach stood out, not just because of his incredible height, but because of a quiet strength and resilience that belied his age.
The pivotal moment came when a representative from the NBA Academy Africa spotted him playing with a makeshift ball on a Kampala street. Intrigued by the tall, lanky teenager, the scout struck up a conversation with his guardians. Within weeks, Maluach was given a chance to join the NBA Academy in Senegal — a life-changing opportunity that he seized with both hands.
At the NBA Academy, Maluach rapidly developed his skills, combining his natural height advantage with surprising agility, court awareness, and a soft shooting touch. Coaches quickly realized they had something special on their hands — a rare blend of size, athleticism, and untapped potential.
By 2023, he had already made waves in international tournaments, representing South Sudan’s national team at just 16. In the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup, he became one of the youngest players ever to compete, and his performances turned heads across the globe. He blocked shots, ran the floor like a guard, and even knocked down threes — showcasing a modern big man’s versatility.
As draft night approached in 2025, Maluach had rocketed up draft boards. Teams were enamored not just by his size and potential, but by the maturity he exhibited — forged by hardship and honed by experience. When his name was called among the top 10 picks, it wasn’t just a celebration for a young man fulfilling a dream — it was a victory for refugees worldwide, a symbol of hope and proof that talent can rise from even the most difficult circumstances.
“It’s surreal,” Maluach said in his post-draft interview, fighting back tears. “Where I come from, this isn’t supposed to happen. But I never gave up. This is for my family, for South Sudan, for every kid in a refugee camp who dreams of something bigger.”
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver praised Maluach’s resilience: “Khaman’s story is a powerful reminder of what sports can do — not just for individuals, but for communities. His journey is an inspiration to millions.”
As Maluach begins his NBA career, expectations are high — but so is the belief in what he can become. His new team sees him as a potential franchise cornerstone: a defensive anchor with elite shot-blocking ability, a rim-runner, and perhaps even a future All-Star.
But beyond the basketball court, Khaman Maluach is already a star — a beacon of what’s possible when talent, opportunity, and determination collide. From the streets of Kampala to the bright lights of the NBA, he has truly beaten the one.