Duke University Addresses Visa Concerns Surrounding Star Freshman Amid Federal Policy Shift
Duke University has addressed a growing international concern that could directly impact one of its most prominent athletes.
This follows the U.S. State Department’s recent decision to revoke and restrict all visas held by South Sudanese passport holders, raising uncertainty about the visa status of Duke freshman center Khaman Maluach. The 7-foot-2 standout from South Sudan just completed an impressive debut season with the Blue Devils and is considered a likely first-round NBA Draft selection.
In a statement to ABC11, Duke’s vice president for communications and public affairs, Frank Tramble, confirmed the university is closely monitoring the situation. “We are looking into the situation and working expeditiously to understand any implications for Duke students,” he said.
The visa crackdown was announced by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, citing South Sudan’s refusal to accept deported citizens. This policy shift has sparked concern for international students like Maluach, who was born in Rumbek, South Sudan, and later moved to Uganda amid conflict.
Maluach joined Duke after honing his game at NBA Academy Africa. In his first college season, he averaged 8.6 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks per game. He also made history playing for South Sudan in its Olympic basketball debut and has spoken about the profound impact the sport has had on his life.
While it remains unclear if Maluach’s visa is directly affected, Duke’s response highlights the broader uncertainty facing international student-athletes as federal immigration policies evolve.
