While
Cooper Flagg is a lock to be the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, the Duke basketball program is aiming to have multiple players selected in the lottery — and freshman center Khaman Maluach could be the biggest surprise of the group.
Maluach arrived at Duke with early projections placing him in the Top 5, and despite a slight dip in recent mock drafts, the 7-foot-2 center remains a likely lottery selection. His elite size, raw potential, and late start in organized basketball make him one of the most intriguing prospects in this year’s class.
NBA Scouts Impressed by Maluach’s Growth at Duke
ESPN’s NBA Draft analyst
Jonathan Givony recently observed Maluach during a pre-draft workout and came away impressed. Givony noted that the freshman standout is “moving and getting off the floor extremely well,” while also highlighting significant improvements in his footwork, touch, and overall skill set
during his lone season at Duke.
Strong Stats Bolster Draft Stock
During the 2024–25 season, Maluach averaged:
- 8.6 points
- 6.6 rebounds
- 1.3 blocks per game
- 71.2% field goal shooting (including 75.4% on two-point attempts)
Notably, he played in every game for the Blue Devils this season, showcasing both durability and consistency.
Multiple Blue Devils in 2025 NBA Mock Drafts
In the latest NBA mock draft, five Duke players were projected to be selected:
- Cooper Flagg – No. 1 overall
- Khaman Maluach – No. 7
- Kon Knueppel – No. 9
- Tyrese Proctor – No. 38
- Sion James – No. 57
Meanwhile, Isaiah Evans and Cedric Coward were not listed in the current projections, but could boost their stock in upcoming workouts and interviews.
Key Date: NBA Draft Lottery Set for May 12
Duke’s top prospects will gain more clarity on their potential landing spots when the NBA Draft Lottery takes place on Monday, May 12, just before the NBA Draft Combine begins in Chicago. Expect Maluach’s name to
stay hot as teams evaluate his upside and readiness for the next level.
