Former Duke Basketball Star Coaches Giant Blue Devil Recruiting Target

Duke basketball may enjoy a secret weapon in pursuing a five-star 7-footer.

One of the most recent recipients of a Duke basketball offer, five-star 2025 center Khaman Maluach, attends the NBA Africa Academy in Senegal. But the 7-foot-2, 240-pound budding talent hails from South Sudan.

So does Luol Deng, a former one-and-done forward for the Blue Devils who starred alongside JJ Redick, Shelden Williams, Daniel Ewing, and Chris Duhon on their way to the 2004 Final Four.

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Deng, a 2004 lottery pick who retired as a player in 2019 following 15 years and two All-Star selections in the NBA, is now the president of South Sudan's basketball federation. Currently, he's pitching in as an assistant coach for the country's first FIBA World Cup appearance.

And Maluach is the youngest member of the South Sudan roster.

So one would think the Deng-Maluach connection might help Duke basketball head coach Jon Scheyer's chances to land the 16-year-old, who should end up with a top-10 composite ranking in the 2025 class if he eventually commits to an NCAA program.

Maluach, who stands 7'2, is a product of the NBA Academy Africa in Senegal. With a 9'5 standing reach, outstanding mobility and the ability to impact the game as a shot-blocker, finisher and 3-point shooter, Maluach has several ingredients NBA teams actively scour the globe for. https://t.co/AwAWMwHuDz pic.twitter.com/k041aOJPHk

— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) August 24, 2023

However, that connection doesn't end there. No, as the 38-year-old Deng explained to ESPN's Jonathan Givony this week, he's about as qualified as anyone to discuss Maluach's expanding skill set and growing opportunities. And it sounds like Maluach has reason to trust Deng's input.

"As someone that has known him since he was 11 years old," Deng said, "I want what's best for him."

Maluach could enter the 2026 NBA Draft without stepping on an American campus. That said, his offer sheet, now consisting of Duke, Georgetown, and UCLA, suggests some college coaches view the recruitment of Maluach as a realistic one.

Based on Deng's breakdown of Maluach's upside, no doubt he's well worth the Blue Devils' time pursuing.

"He has a great feel for the game," the Duke basketball product noted to Givony. "Good court awareness, amazing skill set. He has made a huge improvement. At the same time, he needs to improve on everything. Sharpen every part of his game, as you expect from a 16-year-old.

"That's what makes him scary. He has so much room to grow. But he has a great spirit, is always smiling, and is hungry to learn."

Counting the offers to Khaman Maluach and five-star power forward Koa Peat in the past two weeks, the ever-hungry Duke basketball recruiting team now has an eight-deep 2025 wishlist.

RELATED: List of Every Prep Holding a Blue Devil Offer

Stay tuned to Blue Devil Country on SI.com for more Duke basketball recruiting news.