Khaman Maluach Sends Strong Message to Departing Duke Teammate
The Duke Blue Devils have been at the center of transfer portal activity following an eventful 2024-25 college basketball season. With the portal window set to close by Tuesday, decisions are coming in fast—and one of them has sent ripples through the Blue Devils’ locker room.
Duke, fresh off an outstanding 35-4 campaign that ended with a Final Four appearance, has seen its fair share of departures. Several players are either testing the waters of the NBA Draft or entering the transfer portal. While head coach Jon Scheyer and his staff remain confident in the talent and depth they’ve assembled for the 2025-26 season, each departure carries its own weight—especially when it’s a player known for more than just stats.
The latest Blue Devil to hit the portal is redshirt junior Stanley Borden. While Borden didn’t put up flashy numbers during his time at Duke, his leadership, effort in practice, and presence in the locker room made him a valuable asset to the program. Regarded as a quintessential “glue guy,” Borden played a key supporting role in helping the team reach the 2025 NCAA Final Four, where they fell to Houston in a hard-fought battle in San Antonio.
Upon announcing his departure, Borden shared a heartfelt message on social media, thanking the Duke coaching staff, his teammates, and the fans for their unwavering support during his time with the program. The message drew attention from Blue Devil fans—and a simple but powerful response from one of Duke’s rising stars.
Khaman Maluach, Duke’s 7-foot-2 freshman center from South Sudan, replied to Borden’s message with just four words: “Good luck, Brodie.” Though short, the message spoke volumes. Maluach’s words reflected the camaraderie and respect that defined this year’s Blue Devils squad, a team that battled together through a highly competitive season, dropping just one conference game and making a deep NCAA Tournament run.
Maluach, who averaged 8.6 points and 6.6 rebounds per game in his freshman year, is expected to be a cornerstone of Duke’s future. His response to Borden highlights not just his maturity but the bond these players formed behind the scenes—something that often goes unnoticed beyond the box score.
As the transfer portal drama continues to unfold, Duke remains focused on reloading and returning stronger. And while players like Borden move on to new opportunities, their impact and connection to the program will be felt long after they leave.
