Basketball can be a complicated game. Are you supposed to ice or hedge on the ball screen? Is the first option a back screen with Spain action on the other end of the floor?
Sometimes, though, it’s not. Sometimes, to succeed in basketball, you just toss the ball up and let the biggest guy get it and put it in.
Duke has made a living throwing lob passes to Khaman Maluach this season. The 7-foot-2 freshman from South Sudan has more dunks on the season than Jabari Parker, Dereck Lively, Wendell Carter or Paolo Banchero recorded in their time at Duke. In one year, he’s dunked it more than Christian Laettner or Shane Battier did in four.
When the Blue Devil offense is humming, Tyrese Proctor, Kon Knueppel or Cooper Flagg will drive to the hoop, attract attention from extra defenders, and toss the ball high in the air. At the rim, Maluach will jump, extend his arms over everyone, and send it in.
He’s only been playing organized basketball since 2019, and the role seems tailor-made for a relative basketball newbie. Don’t be mistaken, however. Maluach is also a versatile defender who allows Duke’s switching defense to be even more lethal to opponents. He can, and has, defended everyone from centers to shooters to guards on the perimeter and gives the Blue Devils the luxury of never having a mismatch.
“He’s a student of the game,” said coach Jon Scheyer. “So, he’s been able to grow as the season’s gone along with his defense, with his switching, with blitzing ball screens. I don’t think his versatility gets talked about enough on that end. It’s because of him being so smart and such a great worker.”
