South Sudan native Khaman Maluach has tearful reaction after Rockets select him in NBA Draft

The Phoenix Suns' roster will look vastly different this fall Just a meager days before the NBA Draft reports of a bargain involving Kevin Durant surfaced The deal is expected to send the two-time NBA champion to the Houston Rockets ESPN released Sunday The Rockets held the tenth overall pick in the draft and selected -foot- Khaman Maluach Wednesday The former Duke standout was subsequently sent to Phoenix as part of the package of players and picks included in the Durant deal according to ESPN CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS COMMaluach was visibly emotional moments after NBA Commissioner Adam Silver communicated his name from the draft stage Maluach was raised in Uganda after his family fled Sudan when the nation was ravaged by conflict SIXERS DRAFTEE VJ EDGECOMBE SHARES STORY OF MOTHER'S SACRIFICE TO HELP HIM REACH NBAHe didn't start playing basketball until he was years old when a cab driver stopped and acknowledged his stature Maluach was a member of the South Sudan national basketball association that pushed Unit USA to the brink at the Paris Olympics Before landing in Durham North Carolina Maluach competed at NBA Academy Africa He is now the highest-drafted contestant from the academy I m here representing the whole continent Maluach communicated ESPN moments after he walked across the draft stage and shook Silver's hand at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn New York Living in Africa I had the whole continent on my back giving hope to young kids inspiring young kids and the next generation of African basketball Maluach averaged points rebounds and blocks per contest during his lone season at Duke He started games for the Blue Devils who advanced to the Final Four in April Maluach wore a Rockets hat on the draft stage because the published transaction he was included in has yet to become official Maluach wore a Suns hat during a press conference after he was drafted He expressed excitement about heading to Arizona I'm excited to put on the Phoenix jersey that has my name that has 'Maluach' on the back he recounted reporters I'm excited to play for the Suns and step on the floor Follow Fox News Digital s sports coverage on X and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter