The No. 1 seeded Duke Blue Devils have been as dominant as any team in the country this season, and they’ve continued that trend on their way to the Final Four of the NCAA Tournament after defeating No. 2 seed Alabama 85-65 in the Elite Eight on Saturday night.
This marks the team’s first Final Four berth since 2022, and under head coach Jon Scheyer, the program has continued to thrive since he took over for the legendary Mike Krzyzewski.
Following the win over the weekend, Scheyer’s postgame exchange with Duke’s freshman star Khaman Maluach gained significant attention for the strong relationship he has cultivated with his players.
“Congrats, Coach Scheyer,” Maluach said to Scheyer. “Love you, coach.”
“You’re a killer, you know that?” Scheyer responded.
Maluach has been one of the key sources of production all season for the Blue Devils. Not only is he the starting center, but he’s also the enforcer on the defensive end. While he often falls in the shadows of other freshmen like Cooper Flagg and Kon Knueppel, Maluach has been vital to the team’s success, and his contributions have been on full display throughout the NCAA Tournament.
Against Alabama in the Elite Eight, he tallied 14 points and nine rebounds, following that up with 13 points and six rebounds in the Sweet 16 win over Arizona. If he decides to enter the NBA draft, he’s projected to land around the back end of the lottery, and his performance this season certainly warrants that consideration.
This season, the 7-foot-2 center is averaging 8.7 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks while shooting an impressive 71.4% from the field and 76.4% from the free-throw line.
To choose a program like Duke, knowing that your numbers, minutes, and volume may be impacted by the other talent around you, speaks to Maluach’s commitment to Jon Scheyer’s culture and the idea of winning. That commitment has paid off, as Duke has been a consistent contender all season long, with Maluach playing a critical role in their success.