The Duke basketball big man is utilizing his natural ability as an alley-oop machine.
For the third time this season, Khaman Maluach has scored double-digit points in two or more consecutive games. After recording a double-double in Duke’s road home win against Cal, the 7-foot-2 freshman from South Sudan scored 17 points in Stanford’s 106-70 Cameron Indoor Stadium loss on Saturday.
Maluach’s recent scoring surge is largely due to the long-limbed giant’s proclivity for being in position to efficiently flush alley-oop finds from savvy teammates Cooper Flagg, Tyrese Proctor, Kon Knueppel, and Sion James, as well as the rest of Jon Scheyer’s No. 3-ranked Blue Devils (22-3, 14-1 ACC).
Maluach has 49 dunks in his 25 full-time starts. Duke’s opponents have scored 34 points, thanks in part to his rim-protection efforts on the other end of the court.
“I wish you guys could see him every day in practice,” Scheyer told the reporters after Maluach’s recent advancement, “because he’s completely about the right things.” He is entirely focused on preparation and attention to detail.
“For only playing the game for four or five years, whatever it’s been, his feel is incredible to me.”
Duke basketball will face the Virginia Cavaliers (13-12, 6-8 ACC) in John Paul Jones Arena on Monday at 8 p.m. ET (ESPN).
