Blue Devil Country

Potential for Another Duke Basketball Talent to Land in Philadelphia

Former Duke basketball center Khaman Maluach appears to be garnering some attention from the NBA team with the No. 3 overall pick.
Matt Giles|
Duke basketball players Khaman Maluach, Kon Knueppel, and Cooper Flagg
Duke basketball players Khaman Maluach, Kon Knueppel, and Cooper Flagg | David Banks-Imagn Images

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Duke Blue Devils

In terms of sheer excitement and well-advanced confidence, the 2024-25 Duke basketball trio of freshmen Cooper Flagg, Kon Knueppel, and Khaman Maluach was in the same club as 2018-19 Blue Devil one-and-dones Zion Williamson, RJ Barrett, and Cam Reddish. Likewise, all three look like locks to become lottery picks.

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Moreover, there's still an outside chance that Flagg and Maluach match the eventual 2019 NBA Draft positions of Williamson and Barrett at No. 1 and No. 3 overall.

Flagg, of course, is the projected No. 1 overall pick.

And the 7-foot-2, 250-pound Maluach, an 18-year-old South Sudanese center exhibiting loads of potential via his top-shelf length and budding versatility, generally appears no higher than No. 5 and no lower than No. 10 in the eyes of experts. But according to NBA Big Board's Rafael Barlowe, there's now reason to believe he's receiving at least some attention from the Philadelphia 76ers at No. 3.

It might help that Philadelphia seems to have hit a homerun by drafting 2023-24 Blue Devil one-and-done and pre-injury NBA rookie standout Jared McCain at No. 16 overall last year.

As many as five 2024-25 Duke basketball players could come off the board at the 2025 NBA Draft in Brooklyn's Barclays Center, June 25-26, as guards Tyrese Proctor and Sion James are widely projected second-rounders.

Stay tuned to Duke Blue Devils On SI for more Duke basketball news.

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Matt Giles
MATT GILES

Matt Giles is the editor and publisher of Duke Blue Devils on SI, North Carolina Tar Heels on SI, and NC State Wolfpack on SI, making him a key source for comprehensive coverage of these storied college basketball programs. Since joining SI in 2022, Matt has been dedicated to providing in-depth analysis, breaking news, and exclusive content on all three teams. He covers everything from game previews and recaps to player profiles and recruiting updates. Matt's expert knowledge of these teams has made his work a go-to resource for fans and followers of Duke, NC State, and UNC. As publisher, he shapes the editorial direction, ensuring that the most relevant and timely information reaches his audience.

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