Duke University is addressing a rising international concern that may impact one of its top athletes.
This comes after the U.S. State Department announced it would begin revoking and limiting visas for individuals holding South Sudanese passports. The decision has sparked questions about the visa status of Duke freshman center Khaman Maluach. The 7-foot-2 South Sudan native just completed a strong rookie season with the Blue Devils and is considered a likely first-round pick in the upcoming NBA Draft.
In a statement to ABC11, Duke shared that it is actively assessing the potential effects of the policy on its student body. “We are looking into the situation and working expeditiously to understand any implications for Duke students,” said Frank Tramble, Duke’s vice president of communications and public affairs.
Duke Keeping Close Watch on Developments
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the visa restrictions, citing South Sudan’s refusal to repatriate deported citizens. The policy shift has raised concerns for student-athletes like Maluach, who was born in Rumbek and fled to Uganda during a time of unrest.
Maluach joined Duke after training with NBA Academy Africa and averaged 8.6 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks per game this season. He also played for South Sudan in its historic Olympic basketball debut and has spoken about how basketball has shaped his journey.
Although Duke has not confirmed if Maluach’s visa is directly affected, the university’s swift response underscores broader concerns about how changing federal policies could impact international athletes on campus.
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