Big Mark + Man Man: From Durham to the Desert, Duke Duo Reunites in Phoenix to Battle Dallas Giants 🏀🔥
Just 10 months ago, they were anchoring the paint together in Cameron Indoor Stadium. Now, Mark Mitchell (“Big Mark”) and Khaman Maluach (“Man Man”) are NBA teammates set to take on one of the most daunting frontcourts in the league: the Dallas Mavericks.
The Phoenix Suns made waves during the 2025 NBA Draft by acquiring Khaman Maluach, the towering 7’2” center from Duke, with the No. 10 overall pick. The move not only adds elite rim protection and raw athleticism to Phoenix’s roster it reunites him with fellow Blue Devil and second-year forward Mark Mitchell.
Both players bring length, defensive versatility, and a deep familiarity with one another’s game. That chemistry, built during their time under Jon Scheyer at Duke, will be crucial as they face a stacked Western Conference and, specifically, the revamped Dallas Mavericks frontcourt led by Dereck Lively II, PJ Washington, and newly crowned No. 1 pick Cooper Flagg.
This reunion is more than a feel-good story it’s a strategic move. Phoenix, after trading away Kevin Durant to the Houston Rockets earlier this week, is reloading with youth and size. Pairing Big Mark’s two-way potential with Man Man’s elite shot-blocking and rebounding gives the Suns one of the league’s most promising young frontcourt duos.
When asked about teaming up with Maluach again, Mitchell said, “We’ve been through battles before this time, it’s on a bigger stage. We know each other’s tendencies, and we both want to win. That’s dangerous.”
The Dallas matchup will be a true test. Cooper Flagg is already being touted as a generational talent, while Lively’s rim-running and defensive prowess demand attention. But now, the Suns have two Duke-bred towers of their own to throw into the mix.
From Cameron to the NBA, Big Mark and Man Man are back this time under the desert sun and they’re ready to make noise.
Get ready, Mavs fans. The Duke boys are coming.
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