Duke's Khaman Maluach likely unable to leave, reenter U.S. after South Sudanese visas revoked
The decision by the Trump administration to revoke visas for South Sudanese passport holders could affect the ability of Duke men's basketball player Khaman Maluach to reenter the United States if he were to leave.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the decision before the Duke Final Four game on Saturday, saying it had been made because South Sudan refused to accept citizens deported from the U.S. 'in a timely manner.'
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South Sudan has been beset by violence, hunger and civil war due to political conflict in the past decade, with hundreds of thousands of people killed and millions more displaced. Maluach, 18, fled South Sudan at a young age with his family and settled in Uganda. After scouts recommended him for the NBA Academy Africa in Senegal, Duke recruited him for the 2025 season.
A 7-foot-2 freshman, Maluach averaged 8.6 points in 39 games this season, which ended for the Blue Devils with a loss to Houston in the Final Four on Saturday. He is considered a likely high pick if he declares for the NBA Draft, which will be held on June 25-26. The deadline for a player to declare for the draft is April 26.
'Duke University is aware of the announcement from the Department of State regarding visa holders from South Sudan,' Duke said in a statement. 'We are looking into the situation and working expeditiously to understand the implications for Duke students.'
The decision is not likely to impact players currently in the NBA, WNBA or G League, as those from South Sudan like the Wizards' JT Thor and Trail Blazers' Duop Reath hold dual citizenship.
Currently, Rubio's decision affects South Sudanese people outside the U.S. seeking visas that would allow them to enter the country. Maluach's current student status would remain valid unless the Trump administration were to issue a deportation order, which it has not done, according to Tucker Murphy, who has worked as a U.S. diplomat and with the NBA in international governmental affairs.
'If they are in the country legally and visas have been canceled, then they cannot leave the country,' said Murphy, now the CEO of Jetr Global Sports and Entertainment. 'They have to stay in status here in the United States and would not be able to leave because they would no longer have a valid visa to get back into the country.'
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Murphy said that if Maluach were to leave Duke and get drafted by an NBA team, he could get different documents that would allow him to compete in the U.S. as an athlete, but he would still be unable to leave and reenter the country unless the Trump administration were to issue some sort of waiver.
'His best option at this point is to stay in the United States, in valid visa status,' Murphy said.
Any family members of Maluach's not in the country would be unable to come to the U.S. Maluach told The Athletic during the Final Four weekend that he has not been back home in a couple of years and that his parents have not been able to visit him. His older sister has been in the U.S. throughout the NCAA Tournament.
A State Department spokesperson said that the decision to revoke the visas would impact anyone with a U.S. visa in a South Sudanese passport and anyone with a South Sudanese passport applying for a U.S. visa. They did not comment specifically on Maluach's case, saying via email that the department would provide further information and instructions to affected visa holders and applicants as available.
The action comes amid the administration's efforts to increase immigration enforcement and restrict entry to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has detained and is attempting to deport some international students who participated in campus protests, moves which have already been challenged in court. The Trump administration is also considering implementing travel bans on potentially more than 40 countries, which could affect travel for international athletes to the U.S., though the administration has not yet released an official policy.
Rubio said the administration would be prepared to review the latest actions 'when South Sudan is in full cooperation.'
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