Duke's Khaman Maluach Declares for 2025 NBA Draft, No. 7 Pick in Latest B/R Mock

Khaman Maluach's Duke career lasted one season.

On Sunday, the big man declared for the 2025 NBA draft after his freshman campaign:

Bleacher Report's Jonathan Wasserman projected Maluach to go No. 7 overall to the Toronto Raptors in his most recent mock draft.

Maluach surely didn't end his career with the Blue Devils the way he wanted, as he finished with six points and zero rebounds in 21 minutes of action in the team's Final Four loss to Houston.

But Wasserman doesn't think that will be a problem.

"Rebuilding or patient teams won't likely be bothered," he wrote. "There is still plenty of optimism out there in the long-term potential tied to his 7'2" size and mobility for finishing, rim protection and shot-contesting.

"And given the pre-Duke flashes of shooting range and this year's 76.6 percent mark from the free-throw line, Maluach may be able to strengthen his case further during workouts."

Maluach averaged 8.6 points, 6.6 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game while shooting a head-turning 71.2 percent from the field during his one collegiate season. He wasn't much of a shooting threat from downtown, but those free-throw numbers suggest he could improve at the next level.

And playing in an NBA offense that features more spacing could help him unlock better perimeter shooting and develop into a matchup nightmare.

Still, the value he presents at this point is his rim protection and rebounding at his size. 

That was on full display during some of the most important moments of Duke's season with a combined eight blocks in three games on the way to the ACC tournament title. He also grabbed a combined 28 rebounds in those contests.

Throw in four blocks against Arizona in the Elite Eight and two blocks against Alabama in the Elite Eight, and Maluach looked like someone who can protect the rim at the next level.

One NBA team will surely give him a chance to prove as much.