Could the 76ers Strike Blue Devil Gold Again? Rising Duke Freshman Khaman Maluach Draws No. 3 Pick Interest
The NBA has long had an affection for the talent pipeline running through Durham, North Carolina. Duke basketball isn’t just a college program — it’s a high-performance factory, churning out elite-level players year after year. And in the 2024-25 season, another potential Blue Devil star is beginning to attract serious NBA attention: Khaman Maluach, the towering center from South Sudan.
At just 18 years old, Maluach has already created a buzz strong enough to make some front offices take notice. Among them? The Philadelphia 76ers, holders of the No. 3 overall pick in the upcoming 2025 NBA Draft.
While Cooper Flagg — Duke’s headline recruit and the projected No. 1 overall pick — remains the top story in college basketball, Maluach’s blend of size, agility, and raw upside makes him perhaps the most intriguing frontcourt prospect in the nation. Standing at 7-foot-2 and weighing 250 pounds, Maluach enters the college game as a physical force, but he’s far more than just a rim protector. His emerging versatility, mobility in transition, and improving offensive skill set have scouts imagining the kind of modern-day big man who can anchor both ends of the court.
And it’s not just scouts watching.
According to NBA Big Board’s Rafael Barlowe, Maluach has caught the attention of the Sixers — a team that struck gold last year with another Duke one-and-done, Jared McCain, at the 16th pick. Before his injury, McCain was one of the NBA’s most efficient rookies, instantly validating Philadelphia’s investment in the Blue Devil brand. Now, there’s speculation that the Sixers may dip back into the same well — this time, far earlier in the draft — with an eye on Maluach at No. 3 overall.
The idea of pairing Maluach with Joel Embiid may seem like a positional overlap on the surface, but in a league that increasingly values bigs with range and switchability, there’s room for imagination. At minimum, Maluach presents tremendous long-term upside, particularly if his offensive game catches up with his already impactful defensive presence.
The Duke freshman class of 2024-25 — headlined by Flagg, Kon Knueppel, and Maluach — is drawing early comparisons to the iconic Zion Williamson–RJ Barrett–Cam Reddish trio of 2018-19. That group saw all three stars become lottery picks, with Zion and Barrett going No. 1 and No. 3, respectively. There’s a very real possibility that Flagg and Maluach could mirror that finish.
Adding even more intrigue is the possibility that as many as five Duke players could hear their names called during the 2025 NBA Draft. Guards Tyrese Proctor and Sion James are both projected second-round picks, reinforcing the depth and quality of this Blue Devil roster. But it’s Maluach who may end up being the wild card — a player who entered the conversation quietly but could exit the season as a top-three selection.
For Philadelphia, the decision at No. 3 will shape the direction of their franchise for years to come. With Embiid entering his prime, the Sixers may prefer a win-now piece. But passing on Maluach — with his rare measurables and still-untapped ceiling — may be a risk too great to take.
For now, Khaman Maluach remains focused on helping Duke chase another national title. But make no mistake — the 76ers, and likely several other NBA teams, are already watching closely.
And if history is any indicator, betting on a Blue Devil big man might just be the smartest play in the draft.
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