Duke Basketball excels at many things, which is expected from a program that has remained elite for decades. One of their strengths is managing transitions not just in terms of coaching, with Jon Scheyer taking over from Mike Krzyzewski, but in player movement too, whether it’s going to the NBA or transferring to another school.
Every year, it seems like a well-choreographed process, with Duke players lining up to announce their departures in a controlled, almost ritualistic manner. This year, we’ve already seen Kon Knueppel, Tyrese Proctor, and Cooper Flagg declare for the NBA Draft, while Stanley Borden has entered the transfer portal.
Typically, these announcements come just days apart, so the big question now is: what’s going on with Khaman Maluach? By this time in a normal year, we’d have likely heard his decision, but as of now, we’re still waiting. Is he leaving for the NBA? Staying at Duke?
While staying isn’t completely out of the question, it seems less likely at this point. So why hasn’t Maluach made his intentions clear yet?
One possible reason is that he’s still uncertain about his future prospects. He’s almost certainly a first-round pick, but will he land in the lottery, or slip further down? That’s something he has to weigh.
Another factor is more complicated: his visa status, which could be a potential barrier for NBA teams. As you might recall, during the NCAA tournament, the U.S. government revoked visas for South Sudanese nationals. This has created challenges for Maluach, especially if he plans to travel. If he leaves the country, he might not be able to return. Additionally, there are different types of visas, and it’s unclear exactly what status Maluach holds or what type of visa he might need if he transitions to the NBA. Growing up here, navigating immigration laws might be a challenge he’s facing for the first time.
If Maluach were to be drafted by a team like the Toronto Raptors, he might face complications traveling back and forth to the U.S. for games. If that were the case, the Raptors would likely be frustrated by the wasted pick. There’s also the possibility that, as a player, he wouldn’t even be able to visit the team in person.
Given all this uncertainty, staying on his current visa may actually be the smartest move for him.
However, there’s another major consideration. Maluach has family members who had to flee South Sudan due to war, and as someone who is poised to become quite wealthy, it’s understandable that he’d want to help support them. But this brings up another issue: NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) deals for international players might work differently. If Maluach stays in school, he may not be able to provide as much support for his family compared to if he were in the NBA. While the House Settlement might offer an easier solution, the financial realities are complicated.
In conclusion, Maluach has a lot to consider. He’s as likable a player as anyone to come through Duke in recent memory, and while we don’t know what the best decision is for him, we can only hope things work out in the best way possible.
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