High School Notebook: Scouting NBA Academy Africa

Highlighted by top-level recruits Thierry Darlan and Khaman Maluach, we take a look at the top talents in NBA Academy Africa, one of the premier basketball programs in the world.

NBA Academy Africa sits at a very interesting intersection of international and domestic high school basketball, which has allowed its prospects to test themselves during the past few years not only against other NBA Academies around the world, but also against professional teams in Africa, top European basketball youth teams and elite high school programs in the States.

As they get ready to embark on the NBA Academy Northeast Tour at the end of January, which will see them and their Global and Latin America Academy counterparts play some of the top high school teams in America, here are some of the prospects from NBA Academy Africa who have stood out at recent events.

Khaman Maluach

7’0” Big | South Sudan | 16.3 Years Old | Class of 2025

One of the most intriguing prospects in the Academy when it comes to NBA potential is also the youngest. Measured at 7-feet tall with a 7-foot-6 wingspan, Maluach has elite tools for an NBA Center prospect at just 16 years old.

Maluach utilizes those tools to make an impact around the rim, he protects the paint not just with his size, but also with his physicality, discipline and tremendous motor, which allows him to withstand contact in the paint and block shots without fouling. Maluach is also mobile enough to cover some drives and play the passing lanes in the perimeter.

While Maluach is still at an early stage of development when it comes to creating his own shot in the paint, the game still comes easy for him due to his massive size, which allows him to attack the offensive glass and shoot over opponents in the paint. Even if his moves and footwork are basic, his touch in tough shots is definitely advanced, as he’s able to convert tough attempts off-balance in the paint.

If the tools and touch around the basket make him a high-floor prospect, then the flashes of perimeter game is what makes him a high-ceiling prospect. Despite not being extremely quick or explosive with the ball in his hands, Maluach is definitely more fluid with the ball in his hands than you would expect for his size. He’s also been adding a 3 point shot and despite some variance in results and slow mechanics, the foundation of a jumper is definitely there.

Maluach is still three drafts away from being first-time eligible — or four if he chooses the college route. During the next few years, I expect NBA teams to follow him closely due to his tools and defensive impact alone. With his flashes of an offensive game both in the paint and in the perimeter, his ceiling is extremely high.

It's early but 2025 Khaman Maluach 🇸🇸 should be considered as a potential lottery pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. Projects as an elite rim protector with his tools (7' tall, 7'6" wingspan) and motor. Versatile on offense with his soft touch at the rim and his shooting potential. pic.twitter.com/Fhoeus7Q9p

— Ignacio Rissotto (@eyreball) January 12, 2023

Thierry Darlan

6’6” Wing | Central African Republic | 19.0 Years Old | Class of 2023

Much like Maluach, Darlan stands out immediately with his optimal tools for his position, standing at 6-foot-6 with a 7-foot-1 wingspan. An aggressive driver, Darlan is able to get to the rim with his combination of size, length, touch at the rim and explosiveness, becoming difficult to stop for opposing defenders once he creates momentum coming down the lane. Despite not having the quickest first step, Darlan is able to beat defenders in the perimeter with his tight, close-to-the-ground handle and his ability to change pace.

Darlan also contributes offensively by making plays for teammates on the move, using his gravity as a driver and finding open teammates with simple drive-and-kick passes. He can also execute the occasional pick-and-roll with timing and accuracy. His shooting has been coming around, having tightened his mechanics in the last year, now being able to hit jumpers off the dribble.

Darlan’s optimal tools for the wing position, defensive potential and offensive versatility will be his calling cards for the college and professional levels. If the playmaking and his shooting come around, combined with his defensive potential and his ability to attack the rim, it’s easy to see NBA teams looking his way at some point during his years of draft eligibility.

Watching NBA Academy Africa and it's not hard to see why 2023 Thierry Darlan 🇨🇫 holds multiple high-major offers. 6'6" wing who plays with a great level of pace, has improved as a shooter and is able to make plays for others. Uses his 7'1" wingspan to make plays on Defense. pic.twitter.com/vzJC3uU0Fz

— Ignacio Rissotto (@eyreball) January 12, 2023

Ulrich Chomche

6’11” Forward | Cameroon | 17.0 Years Old | Class of 2023

Chomche is an all-around athlete who shows tremendous open-court speed, vertical leaping ability and lateral mobility for his 6-foot-11 size, being able to use those tools to make an impact as a versatile defender. Offensively, Chomche has a versatile profile for his size, being able to attack closeouts, finish at the rim with a good combination of extension and touch and make plays for teammates from stationary positions.

Despite not projecting as an elite shooter as of this point, Chomche could add value to a number of college and professional teams as a versatile two-way player who can be a plus on multiple areas of the floor and doesn’t need the ball in his hands to be effective. If the shooting ever comes around, his profile as a two-way forward with tremendous tools for the position could be too enticing for NBA teams to pass up.

Rueben Chinyelu

6’10” Big | Nigeria | 19.3 Years Old | Class of 2023 - Committed to Washington State

Chinyelu has been on college radars for a number of years and is considered as a consensus top ten Center in the Class of 2023. Chinyelu contributes as an interior scorer with his combination of size, strength, length and touch, which allow him to finish plays through crowds and convert shots against contact.

Lacking a level of elite rim protection and not really showing much as a scorer beyond the restricted area as of this point, it’s hard to see Chinyelu as a potential NBA player, but his tools and scoring ability in the paint will make him a day-one contributor at the college level.

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