Jon Scheyer believes Olympian Khaman Maluach is ready for the “hardest transition” of college basketball
Khaman Maluach cannot be left in the shadows among Duke's astonishing 2024 signing class despite the immense attention placed on top recruit Cooper Flagg. Ranked third among the country's top prospects, Maluach has the potential to be a game-changer in the Blue Devils' pursuit of the coveted national championship in the 2024-25 season.
While he impressed in the NBA's Africa camp last summer, he faces a challenge to adapt to college basketball. Amid a hectic Atlantic Coast Conference Media Day on Thursday, Blue Devils coach Jon Scheyer addressed the abilities Maluach possesses to make the tough transition on The Field of 68 Network.
"Khaman, he's different from anyone I've ever coached because of how young he is in the game," said Scheyer. "He just started playing basketball a few years ago.
"It's going to be somewhat of a process adjusting to the college game. I think being a big guy in college is the hardest transition of anything, even harder than a point guard in my opinion.
"But he's got an incredible motor. His personality is contagious, he's talking all the time and he's got a great skill set. He's just learning how to use it."
Jon Scheyer details how Khaman Maluach can be an asset to Duke
Duke coach Jon Scheyer said that Khaman Maluach's massive frame and immense skill set could help the Blue Devils.
"I've loved coaching him," Scheyer said. "I'm just telling you, sky's the limit, and he can really change the team. He can protect the rim, he's a lob threat and then his skill will keep developing."
Standing at 7-foot-2, Maluach is the top center prospect in the country. He joined the NBA Africa Academy in 2021 and emerged as one of the standouts in the program, as he was named the MVP of NBA's Basketball Without Borders in 2022 and its Africa camp last summer.
Khaman Maluach helped South Sudan qualify for the Olympics for the first time following solid performances in the 2023 FIBA World Cup. While he didn't get much game time in Paris, he was the youngest player to participate in the Olympics in the French capital.
With a 7-5 wingspan and a 9-8 standing reach, Maluach has the potential to make a major impact at both ends of the court. After taking part in the Countdown to Craziness on Friday, Maluach will be motivated to impress in his freshman season, which begins on Nov. 4 against the visiting Maine Black Bears.