International 5-star center planning visit with Kansas basketball in February, will decide soon

Kansas coach Bill Self gestures during a college basketball game between the Oklahoma State Cowboys
Kansas coach Bill Self gestures during a college basketball game between the Oklahoma State Cowboys / BRYAN TERRY/THE OKLAHOMAN / USA TODAY
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A dynamic prospect in the Class of 2024 will be making his college decision soon, and Kansas basketball is in the mix to land the NBA Africa Academy star.

According to Travis Branham of 247 Sports, Khaman Maluach is planning a visit with the Jayhawks in February and could commit at the end of the month. He is also considering Kentucky, UCLA, G League Ignite, and Duke, which he visited last week.

Because he is an international prospect, information about Maluach is scarce. However, at 7-foot-2, 235 pounds, he is freakishly athletic and can block shots with his long wingspan. Maluach even shows potential on the perimeter as an improving passer and ball handler.

In an interview last month, Maluach said: "I am looking for a place that has a feeling like a family, where I fit in and play well, where we have a bond, win championships and a place that will develop me for the next step."

International players aren't able to receive the same NIL benefits those from the states receive, so that is a factor that could come into play in the process. That alone makes G League Ignite an intriguing option, considering he can sign a partially guaranteed contract and have an early payday.

A crystal ball to Duke has already been placed by two Duke insiders on 247 Sports. The trip to Durham reportedly went very well, and that should not come as a surprise to anyone knowing how well the program recruits players of Maluach's caliber.

The path for playing time would be cloudy for Maluach at Kansas. With a commitment from 5-star center Flory Bidunga and Hunter Dickinson potentially returning for a super senior season, Duke and G League Ignite look like the clear favorites here. Regardless, it is a recruitment Jayhawk fans should continue to watch.

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