Phoenix Suns Capture Khaman Maluach at No. 10, Secure Mark Williams in Strategic Trade

Khaman Maluach, a South Sudan native, played one year at Duke and was named to the ACC All-Freshman team.

BROOKLYN, N.Y. — Khaman Maluach has officially joined the Phoenix Suns. He was selected as the No. 10 pick in the first round of the 2025 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center.

Initially hailing from South Sudan, Maluach garnered attention at a camp led by former Suns draft pick Luol Deng. Following this, he attended the NBA Academy Africa in Senegal. In 2024, he committed to play at Duke and also represented his nation at the 2024 Olympics in Paris.

During his time with the Blue Devils, Maluach averaged 8.6 points, 1.3 blocks, 0.5 assists, and 6.6 rebounds per game over 39 appearances, helping the team reach the Final Four.

The Suns originally held the No. 10 pick before trading it to the Rockets in a deal that brought Kevin Durant to Phoenix. After reacquiring the pick last Sunday, the Suns opted to utilize it on Maluach.

Though the trade will not take effect until July 1, he was technically drafted by the Rockets, with his rights transferring to the Suns. This mechanism has precedent, having occurred with stars like Kobe Bryant and Trae Young.

The Suns are also set to make another significant move. They have traded their second first-round pick, No. 29, along with a 2029 first-round pick and guard Vasilije Micić to the Charlotte Hornets for center Mark Williams. This trade will also be finalized on July 1, retaining the technicality of the Suns making a selection at No. 29, which will go to Charlotte.

In the larger context of the draft, local players made notable appearances as well. Oklahoma guard Jeremiah Fears was picked seventh by the New Orleans Pelicans. He transferred to AZ Compass Prep in Chandler for his junior year and finished his high school career there.

Among others, former Arizona guard Carter Bryant was selected 14th overall by the San Antonio Spurs after averaging 6.5 points and contributing to a Sweet 16 run with the Wildcats.

The first round of the 2025 NBA Draft included several standout players, emphasizing the depth of talent in this year’s class. The Suns also hold the 52nd overall pick in the upcoming second round.

The city of Phoenix maintains a vibrant sports culture, playing host to teams across major leagues. The Arizona Cardinals, Phoenix Suns, Phoenix Mercury, and Arizona Diamondbacks all thrive in the region, while local soccer is represented by Phoenix Rising FC.

Annual sporting events, such as the Fiesta Bowl, the WM Phoenix Open, and NASCAR races, draw large crowds and engagement, marking the Valley as a hub for sports enthusiasts.