Duke’s 7'2 Khaman Maluach poses with Dereck Lively II and Anthony Davis

Duke center Khaman Maluach linked up with Dereck Lively II and Anthony Davis for Klutch Pro Day 2025. On Sunday, Maluach and Dallas Mavericks stars were part of exhibition games for Rich Paul's Klutch Sports Group. Kansas' Hunter Dickinson, Florida's Walton Clayton Jr. and more were also among the notable stars who participated.

A Duke fan page shared Khaman standing alongside AD and Lively II on X.

"Khaman Maluach and Dereck Lively look like GIANTS next to AD", they captioned the post.

Khaman Maluach, Anthony Davis, Dereck Lively II via X

Klutch Sports also posted snaps from the exhibition games on their Instagram.

The 18-year-old Duke center averaged 8.6 points, 6.6 rebounds and 0.5 assists while shooting 71.2% from the floor in 23.4 minutes per game in 2024-25.

Khaman Maluach declared for the 2025 NBA Draft and is projected as a top pick based on ESPN's mock draft. The 7-foot-2 center posted a photo of the duo embracing each other as Lively appeared to lift Maluach.

Duke's Khaman Maluach shares reason behind his basketball journey

Khaman Maluach didn’t follow the traditional path to basketball stardom. He didn’t pick up a basketball until he was 13 years old. His journey from South Sudanese refugee to Duke standout started with a funny observation.

During the NBA Draft Combine in May (11-18), Maluach recalled the moment that sparked his basketball journey ahead of the upcoming NBA Draft.

“I just went to a camp and saw a lot of tall people who were happy, and I was like, ‘This is where I belong,’” Maluach said.

Former NBA star and fellow South Sudan native Luol Deng organized the camp and it led to a life-changing experience for Maluach. Recognizing his potential, Maluach was invited to join the NBA Academy Africa, where he truly began to learn the game.

“The academy taught me how to play organized basketball,” Maluach explained. “When I got there, it was my first time playing in a real system. They helped me on and off the court.”

For Khaman Maluach, the academy was more than just basketball. He also spoke about moving away from home at 14 years old and how he needed to grow up quickly.

At 15 years old, Maluach was playing professionally in the Basketball Africa League. His talent and work ethic led him to Duke, where he made an impact as a freshman and became one of the top prospects for the 2025 NBA Draft.