\n<\/p>\n
Born in 2006 in Rumbek, South Sudan, Maluach’s family fled to neighbouring Uganda to escape conflict.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
“The closest court was a one-hour walk and I didn’t even have shoes,” Maluach told BBC Sport Africa last year.<\/p>\n
Yet his potential was quickly spotted by local coaches Deng and Aketch Garang.<\/p>\n
“He learned so quickly,” Deng said. “I told Aketch this kid would be the next big thing.”<\/p>\n
Within a year, Maluach had earned a scholarship to the NBA Academy Africa in Dakar, Senegal, his first major leap toward the global stage.<\/p>\n
The teenager credits competing against the best talent on the continent with helping him “level up”.<\/p>\n
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.<\/a><\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n “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.<\/p>\n Deng, watching from afar, beamed with pride.<\/p>\n “Seeing him go from learning the basics to the highest level is really something rare,” he said.<\/p>\n “He’s a sign of hope to every African kid that anything is possible.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n