Is Khaman Maluach playing tonight vs Kentucky? Explore Duke freshman's availability (Nov 12)

Khaman Maluach has a healthy status against the No. 19 Kentucky Wildcats on Tuesday. He has no injuries listed, having played in Duke's first two games against Maine and Army. The confirmation of him playing in the crucial matchup will be known before the 9 p.m. ET tip-off.

Maluach is at the beginning of his basketball career in college. He came out of NBA Academy Africa as one of the best international prospects in the Class of 2024. He averaged 17.5 points, 13.8 rebounds, and 2.8 blocks per game in the six contests he took part in the 2024 BAL season for his club in Uganda, the City Oilers.

Khaman Maluach was seen by major recruiting outlets as a consensus five-star recruit, getting the top ranking at the center position and fourth in the overall class. Despite offers from several basketball powerhouses like UCLA and Kentucky as well as Kansas, Maluach decided to take his talents to Duke, committing in March and then enrolling over the summer.

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Blue Devils benefit from having Khaman Maluach's presence on the court

Khaman Maluach is off to a solid start in his collegiate career at the age of 18. He is averaging 8.5 points, 10.0 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game. Maluach has also done well, being efficient inside the arc, making seven out of nine attempts.

Maluach's defensive impact, while on the court for 39 minutes total against Maine and Army, is apparent. His seven-foot-two, 250-pound frame has presented him as an anchor inside the paint, putting immense pressure on opponents to avoid taking shots against him, as evidenced by his shot-blocking ability.

His presence down low has seen Duke only give up 60.0 points per game, making them one of the best defenses (tied-50th) in the country after two games. Albeit a small sample, Maluach's effectiveness is still on display with how he's benefitted Duke on the defensive side of the ball.

The Blue Devils are in their third season with Jon Scheyer at the helm as head coach, having taken the reins following Mike Krzyzewski's retirement from coaching in 2022. Scheyer led them to 27-9 records in his first two years, getting them to the Elite Eight in 2024 before losing 76-64 to NC State.

Following many departures, with Jared McCain and Kyle Filipowski getting drafted to the NBA, Scheyer got to work in the offseason. He landed four transfers and six recruits, the latter featuring five-star prospects like Maluach, Cooper Flagg, and Isaiah Evans.

Following the game against Kentucky, Duke will host Wofford at the Cameron Indoor Stadium in Durham, North Carolina, on Nov. 16 at noon ET.