Duke 'looking into' how state department ruling on South Sudan passport holders could impact projected NBA lottery pick

SAN ANTONIO — A standout Duke basketball player and projected NBA lottery draft pick could be at risk of deportation as a result of a state department ruling announced hours before the Blue Devils' Final Four loss to Houston on Saturday night.

The United States is revoking all visas for South Sudanese passport holders, effective immediately, and blocking new arrivals, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a statement posted to X. Rubio cited the African nation's refusal to accept the return of its nationals expelled from the U.S. "in a timely manner" as the rationale for his decision.

Duke freshman Khaman Maluach is a native of South Sudan who played for that country's Olympic team last summer. The 7-foot-2 center spent much of his childhood in Uganda after his family fled war-ravaged South Sudan when he was a boy.

Maluach was not made available to reporters during Duke's media availability after Saturday night's game. When asked about Maluach's immigration status, Duke University spokesman Frank Tramble released a brief statement confirming the school is "aware of the announcement from the Department of State regarding visa holders from South Sudan."

https://sports.yahoo.com/college-basketball/article/duke-looking-into-how-state-department-ruling-on-south-sudan-passport-holders-could-impact-projected-nba-lottery-pick-khaman-maluach-185915957.html