Philadelphia 76ers Reportedly Eyeing Another Duke Prospect in Khaman Maluach
The Philadelphia 76ers might be considering adding another Duke basketball product to their roster in the upcoming 2025 NBA Draft. Khaman Maluach, a highly-touted freshman center who played for Duke during the 2024-25 season, is reportedly drawing attention from the Sixers, who hold the No. 3 overall pick in the draft.
Maluach was one of three elite freshman standouts for the Blue Devils this past season, alongside Cooper Flagg and Kon Knueppel. The trio’s arrival at Duke brought back memories of the 2018-19 class that featured Zion Williamson, RJ Barrett, and Cam Reddish. Like their predecessors, Flagg, Knueppel, and Maluach were immediate impact players, and all three are widely considered first-round locks with lottery potential in the 2025 NBA Draft.
Flagg, in particular, is the consensus No. 1 overall prospect and has maintained that status for much of the season. He dominated on both ends of the floor and has been likened to a generational talent. Knueppel’s shooting and basketball IQ also boosted his stock, but it’s Maluach who may be one of the biggest risers heading into draft night.
Standing at 7-foot-2 and weighing 250 pounds, the 18-year-old center from South Sudan possesses remarkable size, wingspan, and a growing offensive skill set. His defensive instincts, shot-blocking ability, and developing versatility on offense have intrigued scouts. Most draft analysts currently project Maluach to be selected somewhere between the fifth and tenth picks, but there are emerging reports that he could be considered as high as No. 3 overall.
NBA Big Board analyst Rafael Barlowe recently noted that the 76ers are potentially interested in Maluach with their third overall selection. While this might seem like a surprise, it could be influenced by the franchise’s recent success with another Duke product. In the 2024 draft, Philadelphia selected Jared McCain, another one-and-done Blue Devil, with the 16th pick. McCain impressed before an untimely injury cut his rookie season short, showing signs of being a future building block.
Philadelphia’s potential interest in Maluach could signal a continuation of their trust in Duke’s talent pipeline. The team may be looking to solidify its frontcourt with a young, athletic center to support Joel Embiid or potentially prepare for a post-Embiid future.
Additionally, Duke could once again have a significant presence at the 2025 NBA Draft, which will take place at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn on June 25-26. Alongside Flagg, Knueppel, and Maluach, guards Tyrese Proctor and Sion James are also expected to be in the draft pool. While both are more likely to be selected in the second round, it underscores the depth of talent coming out of Durham this year.
If Philadelphia ultimately selects Maluach, it would mark another significant step in the franchise’s efforts to retool around youth and high-upside prospects. The addition of a player with Maluach’s physical tools and potential could be a smart long-term investment, particularly if he continues to develop his offensive repertoire and stays healthy.
As draft night approaches, all eyes will be on how the 76ers decide to use their valuable pick. Whether they stick with Maluach or go in another direction, it’s clear that the Duke program continues to be a prime source of NBA-ready talent — and Philadelphia appears to be taking notice once again.
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