South Sudan native Khaman Maluach has tearful reaction after Rockets select him in NBA Draft

The Phoenix Suns' roster volition look vastly antithetic this fall.

Just a fewer days earlier the 2025 NBA Draft, reports of a trade involving Kevin Durant surfaced. The woody is expected to nonstop the two-time NBA champion to the Houston Rockets, ESPN reported Sunday.

The Rockets held the tenth wide prime successful the draught and selected 7-foot-2 Khaman Maluach Wednesday. The erstwhile Duke standout was subsequently sent to Phoenix arsenic portion of the bundle of players and picks included successful the Durant deal, according to ESPN. 

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

Khaman Maluach arrives earlier the archetypal circular of the 2025 NBA Draft astatine Barclays Center successful Brooklyn June 25, 2025. (Brad Penner/Imagn Images)

Maluach was visibly affectional moments aft NBA Commissioner Adam Silver announced his sanction from the draught stage.

Maluach was raised successful Uganda aft his household fled Sudan erstwhile the federation was ravaged by conflict.

SIXERS DRAFTEE VJ EDGECOMBE SHARES STORY OF MOTHER'S SACRIFICE TO HELP HIM REACH NBA

He didn't commencement playing hoops until helium was 14 years old, erstwhile a cab operator stopped and acknowledged his stature.

Khaman Maluach of the Phoenix Suns speaks to the media aft being drafted 10th wide successful the 2025 NBA Draft astatine Barclays Center June 25, 2025, successful Brooklyn, N.Y. Maluach was drafted by the Houston Rockets and traded to the Phoenix Suns. (Mike Lawrie/Getty Images)

Maluach was a subordinate of the South Sudan nationalist hoops squad that pushed Team USA to the brink astatine the Paris Olympics. Before landing successful Durham, North Carolina, Maluach competed astatine NBA Academy Africa. He is present the highest-drafted subordinate from the academy.

"I’m present representing the full continent," Maluach told ESPN moments aft helium walked crossed the draught signifier and shook Silver's manus astatine the Barclays Center successful Brooklyn, New York. 

"Living successful Africa, I had the full continent connected my back, giving anticipation to young kids, inspiring young kids and the adjacent procreation of African basketball."

Khaman Maluach stands with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver aft being selected 10th by the Houston Rockets successful the archetypal circular of the 2025 NBA Draft astatine Barclays Center successful Brooklyn, N.Y., June 25, 2025. (Brad Penner/Imagn Images)

Maluach averaged 8.6 points, 6.6 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per crippled during his lone play at Duke. He started 39 games for the Blue Devils, who precocious to the Final Four successful April. 

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

Maluach wore a Rockets chapeau connected the draught signifier due to the fact that the reported transaction helium was included successful has yet to go official. Maluach wore a Suns chapeau during a property league aft helium was drafted. He expressed excitement astir heading to Arizona.

"I'm excited to enactment connected the Phoenix jersey that has my name, that has 'Maluach' connected the back," helium told reporters. "I'm excited to play for the Suns and measurement connected the floor."

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports sum connected X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.