Blue Devil Country

Duke Basketball: Predictions Pop Up for Major Blue Devil Target

Duke basketball is the favorite to snag big man Khaman Maluach in the eyes of the Crystal Ball.

Matt Giles

Photo credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
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NBA Academy Africa center Khaman Maluach, a 2024 prospect who has held a Duke basketball offer since August, visited the Blue Devils last weekend. On Monday, he revealed pictures from his trip. Then, on Wednesday afternoon, the first 247Sports Crystal Ball picks surfaced for his recruitment.

Both predictions point to the Blue Devils coming out on top for the 7-foot-2, 235-pound five-star, who has drawn comparisons to Philadelphia 76ers superstar Joel Embiid and is a projected 2025 NBA lottery pick following what could be a one-and-done college campaign.

However, it's worth pointing out that neither prediction for Duke has a "high" confidence level. And on that note, shortly after the Crystal Ball updates, 247Sports' Travis Branham reported on social media that Maluach plans to take four more official visits in February before deciding on his destination for next season.

In other words, it doesn't appear as though Duke basketball head coach Jon Scheyer and his staff locked up a commitment from Maluach during his stay in Durham.

Meanwhile, the Blue Devils already own the nation's top-ranked 2024 recruiting haul.

It features the cycle's No. 1 prep in Montverde Academy (Fla.) five-star forward Cooper Flagg, along with North Meck (N.C.) five-star forward Isaiah Evans, Wisconsin Lutheran five-star forward Kon Knueppel, Paul VI Catholic (Va.) five-star center Patrick Ngongba II, and another Paul VI Catholic talent in four-star forward Darren Harris.

Khaman Maluach appears to be Scheyer's only remaining 2024 target.

Another Duke Recruit Sees McDonald's All-American Snub

Stay tuned to Blue Devil Country on SI.com for more on the Blue Devils' pursuit of Khaman Maluach and other Duke basketball recruiting 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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