Khaman Maluach, the Rockets’ 10th pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, used to walk barefoot over an hour each day to hoop at the nearest court in Uganda — now he’s living his dream 🔥

Even as a small child in Rumbek, South Sudan, Khaman Maluach stood out. It wasn’t just his height—though he was always taller than his friends—but a quiet determination that sparkled in his eyes. Born in 2006, his earliest memories were of running through dusty streets, his laughter echoing above the noise of a country in turmoil.

When civil war erupted in 2013, Khaman’s family, like many others, was forced to flee. They found refuge in Uganda, settling in a camp on the outskirts of Kampala. Life there was never easy. The days were long, food was scarce, and hope often seemed like a distant dream. But for young Khaman, there was always a sense that something greater awaited him—if only he could find his path.

That path revealed itself in the most unexpected way. One hot afternoon, as Khaman trudged barefoot along a dusty road, a motorcyclist pulled up beside him. The man stared, wide-eyed, at the boy’s towering frame. “You should play basketball,” he said, half-joking, half-serious. “With your height, you could be great.”

At the time, Khaman barely knew what basketball was. In the refugee camp, there were no courts, no balls, and certainly no shoes. But the stranger’s words stuck with him, echoing in his mind as he watched the sun set over the camp’s patchwork roofs.

It wasn’t until he was 13 that Khaman finally touched a basketball. A local tournament, organized by South Sudanese NBA star Luol Deng, brought the game to their community. Khaman watched, mesmerized, as players sprinted, dribbled, and soared toward the hoop. For the first time, he saw others as tall as himself, and something inside him clicked: he belonged on that court.

But belonging didn’t make things easier. The nearest basketball court was over an hour’s walk from home, and Khaman still had no shoes. Still, every day, he made the journey—barefoot, determined, and full of hope. “I didn’t even have shoes,” he would later recall. “But I had a dream.”

His dedication caught the attention of local coaches and, eventually, Luol Deng himself. With Deng’s encouragement, Khaman joined the NBA Academy Africa in Senegal—a turning point that changed everything. There, he found not only world-class coaching and facilities but also a brotherhood of young African athletes, each chasing their own impossible dreams.

At the Academy, Khaman’s raw talent blossomed. He worked relentlessly, adding muscle to his lanky frame and learning the fundamentals of the game. Coaches marveled at his agility and basketball IQ, rare for someone so new to the sport. “They guided me, put me in the right place at the right time for me to be able to succeed,” Khaman would say.

By 2024, colleges in the United States were calling. Khaman chose Duke University, one of the nation’s premier basketball programs. The transition was daunting—new country, new culture, new expectations—but Khaman thrived. He quickly became a standout player, his 7-foot-2 frame dominating both ends of the court. In the NCAA tournament, he threw down thunderous dunks, blocked shots, and inspired teammates with his infectious energy.

Yet, through it all, Khaman never forgot where he came from. “I’m here representing the whole continent of Africa,” he said, his voice steady with pride. On draft night, as he waited nervously at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, he wore a jacket lined with the colors of both South Sudan and Uganda—a tribute to the places that shaped him.

When NBA Commissioner Adam Silver announced, “With the 10th pick of the 2025 NBA Draft, the Houston Rockets select Khaman Maluach,” the room erupted. Cameras caught Khaman bowing his head, hands trembling, tears streaming down his face. For a moment, the world saw not just an athlete, but a young man overwhelmed by the realization of a dream that once seemed delusional.

His draft rights were soon traded to the Phoenix Suns, where he would begin his professional career. But that detail hardly mattered in the moment. What mattered was the journey—the long walks, the barefoot games, the sacrifices of a family who had fled war but never surrendered hope.

Back in Uganda, Khaman’s parents watched the draft on a flickering TV, their pride immeasurable. “I want to thank them so much for raising me the right way, showing me the good values of life,” Khaman said, his eyes shining. He promised to send his draft hat home, a symbol of what was possible for every child still dreaming in the refugee camps.

Khaman’s story quickly spread across social media. Fans shared clips of his emotional reaction, calling it “what sport is all about.” Young Africans, in particular, saw themselves in his journey. “Sometimes it’s OK to be delusional about your dreams,” Khaman told them. “They can end up happening.”

He became the highest-drafted player ever from the NBA Academy Africa, a beacon for a continent bursting with untapped talent. His message was simple but powerful: “It’s not rocket science. It’s not something crazy to play in the NBA. You just have to believe.”

Khaman’s pride in his heritage never wavered. He played for South Sudan at the 2023 FIBA World Cup and again at the Paris 2024 Olympics, facing legends like Kevin Durant and LeBron James. Each time, he carried the hopes of a nation—and a continent—on his shoulders.

But new challenges awaited. Political uncertainty in the U.S. meant his visa status was in question, a reminder that even dreams come true are never without obstacles. Still, Khaman faced the future as he always had: with resilience, humility, and hope.

As he stepped onto the NBA stage, Khaman Maluach was no longer just a refugee or a barefoot boy from South Sudan. He was a symbol—a living testament to the power of dreams, the strength of perseverance, and the unbreakable spirit of Africa.

And as he looked into the camera, smiling through tears, Khaman sent a message to every child still walking dusty roads: “If I can do it, so can you. Keep dreaming. Keep walking. Your time will come.”