Born in 2006 in Rumbek, South Sudan, Maluach’s family fled to neighbouring Uganda to escape conflict.

Raised by his mother alongside six siblings in Kawempe, basketball only entered his life after a boda boda (motorcycle taxi) rider encouraged him to take up the sport because of his height.

“The closest court was a one-hour walk and I didn’t even have shoes,” Maluach told BBC Sport Africa last year.

Yet his potential was quickly spotted by local coaches Deng and Aketch Garang.

“He learned so quickly,” Deng said. “I told Aketch this kid would be the next big thing.”

Within a year, Maluach had earned a scholarship to the NBA Academy Africa in Dakar, Senegal, his first major leap toward the global stage.

The teenager credits competing against the best talent on the continent with helping him “level up”.

By 16, he was playing for South Sudan’s national team, helping them qualify for their first-ever Olympics via their performances at the 2023 Fiba World Cup.

His performances in the Basketball Africa League and MVP honours at the 2023 Basketball Without Borders Africa camp cemented his status as a top prospect, and he committed to playing for Duke.

Five years after first stepping onto a court, Maluach is set to take the next step on a remarkable journey which has been built on belief and persistence.

“It’s a day I’ll never forget,” he said after being selected by the Houston Rockets, and then immediately traded to the Phoenix Suns.

Deng, watching from afar, beamed with pride.

“Seeing him go from learning the basics to the highest level is really something rare,” he said.

“He’s a sign of hope to every African kid that anything is possible.”