Some serious size is coming to the Phoenix Suns frontcourt.
The Suns selected seven-foot-two, 250-pound centre Khaman Maluach with the 10th overall pick at Wednesday’s NBA Draft in Brooklyn, N.Y.
Phoenix re-acquired the No. 10 pick in the deal that sent Kevin Durant to the Houston Rockets.
Maluach played one season at Duke, averaging 8.6 points, 6.6 rebounds and 1.3 blocks while shooting 71.2 per cent from the field over 39 games.
The South Sudan native also represented his country at last summer’s Paris Olympics, earning minutes in three games. But after an upset win over Puerto Rico, South Sudan was unable to reach the knockout stage.
Maluach, who turns 19 on Sept. 14, is viewed as a defensive anchor and lob threat at centre.
And while the Suns were in dire need of centre depth, Maluach alone won't be the solution as Phoenix has reportedly added Charlotte Hornets big man Mark Williams in a draft night deal, per ESPN's Shams Charania, in exchange for No. 29 and a 2029 first.
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