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The NBA season is entering its most crucial phase, and while some teams will continue to play in these playoffs for over a month in search of the Finals, there are several teams that have been eliminated from contention for at least a month. These teams are just waiting for the results of the draft lottery on May 12, where the Charlotte Hornets, Washington Wizards and Utah Jazz are the favorites to secure the first overall pick. The team that gets it will undoubtedly take Duke freshman and National Player of the YearCooper Flagg.
Duke’s Impressive Run Falls Short in Final Four
Though the season didn’t end as Flagg and the Blue Devils had hoped, with a stunning semifinal loss to Houston in the closing moments of the Final Four, the truth is that Duke had a phenomenal year. They dominated the regular season as the nation’s top team and strung together an incredible 16-game winning streak-the longest in college basketball this year and Duke’s best in over 20 years.
In addition to Flagg, the team featured other standout talents such as freshman center Khaman Maluach, who recently declared for the draft, and Kon Knueppel. Both are projected to join Flagg as first-round picks, possibly even in the top 10. That depth has been Duke’s strength all season, and while the Final Four loss stings, the focus has now shifted to the NBA Draft on June 25, where these young players’ futures will take shape.
Khaman Maluach: From South Sudan to NBA Prospect
Khaman Maluach, an 18-year-old native of South Sudan, was s a key part of Duke’s success. A graduate of the NBA’s Academy Africa, Maluach chose Duke over other elite programs a year ago, and it proved to be a wise choice. During the 2024-2025 NCAA season, he started all 39 games for the Blue Devils and averaged 21 minutes per game. The 7-foot-2 center averaged nine points and seven rebounds while shooting an impressive 71% from the field. His size and skill have NBA scouts buzzing, with projections placing him as a potential top-10 pick. The Toronto Raptors, who hold the seventh pick, could be a landing spot. Lacking space to develop young wings, Toronto may see Maluach as an ideal big man to develop into a future cornerstone.
Maluach’s story is one of resilience and rapid rise. Raised as a refugee in Uganda after being born in South Sudan, he was introduced to basketball in 2019 by former Duke star Luol Deng, who guided him to the NBA Academy Africa. In just a few years, he’s gone from freshman to lottery prospect. At Duke, his defensive presence – swatting shots and guarding the perimeter despite his height – complemented his ability to finish above the rim. With Flagg likely to go first overall and Knueppel also in the top-10 mix, Maluach’s draft entry rounds out an exceptional trio from Duke poised to make waves in the pros.
The Raptors could make the playoffs for the first time since 2022 next season. A starting five of Immanuel Quickley, RJ Barrett, Brandon Ingram, Scottie Barnes, and Khaman Maluach would be a tough fourth team, with Gradey Dick and Ochai Agbaji coming off the bench. However, the Raptors will need to make some moves to be competitive next season. Although Scottie and Ingram are great NBA All-Stars, the team lacks a superstar leader for this young team.
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