Visa Policy Places Duke’s Khaman Maluach in Legal Limbo

But as Duke’s season came to a close with a loss to Houston on Saturday, an unexpected announcement by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio cast a shadow over Maluach’s future.

Visa Restrictions Target South Sudanese Nationals

During the national semifinal, Rubio announced via social media that he is “taking actions to revoke all visas held by South Sudanese passport holders” and halting the issuance of new ones. According to Rubio, the policy is in response to the South Sudanese government’s refusal to accept repatriated nationals in a timely manner. The implications are immediate and potentially far-reaching, especially for South Sudanese citizens in the U.S. on non-immigrant visas, including student athletes like Maluach.

Duke has not issued a definitive response regarding Maluach’s status. When asked during the game, university spokespeople said only that they had no comment at the time. Later, Duke spokesperson Frank Tramble stated that the university is “looking into the situation and working expeditiously to understand the implications for Duke students.”

From Refugee to NBA Prospect

Maluach’s story is nothing short of remarkable. Having grown up in a Ugandan refugee camp, he was introduced to basketball as a teenager. His physical gifts 7-foot-5 wingspan and a 9-foot-8 standing reach, immediately set him apart. After training with the NBA Academy Africa, he earned a scholarship to Duke, where he made an instant impact.

In his freshman season, Maluach averaged 8.7 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks per game while shooting an efficient 71.4% from the field. His play during the postseason was even more impressive, with his stats jumping to 11.6 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks per game over Duke’s final seven contests.

NBA mock drafts have him pegged as a lottery pick, ranging from No. 5 to No. 13 overall, with several outlets projecting him to the Toronto Raptors.

Athletic Crossroads

Now, Maluach’s path to the NBA could be complicated by international politics. If his visa is revoked, he could be forced to leave the country before the NBA Draft or miss pre-draft workouts and training. While exceptions or clarifications to the policy may emerge in the coming days, as of now, Maluach finds himself in an unexpected and precarious position—caught between a promising career and a legal landscape that could shift overnight.