PHOENIX – After a quiet rookie season, Phoenix Suns Khaman Maluach’s 2026 Summer League has been explosive. In just 46 appearances last year, the 19-year-old averaged just three points per game and less than three rebounds. In just three games in Las Vegas, he has sextuple his point average and quadruple his rebounds. The former 10th overall pick was taken as a project and proved to be that last season. But, the project might be finished, as Maluach truly has arrived.
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Suns center Khaman Maluach (10) celebrates a dunk against the Jazz during a game at the Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, on March 28, 2026. Syndication: Arizona Republic
Maluach’s Summer League Stats through three games:
- 18.3 PPG
- 12.0 RPG
- 2.3 BPG
- 50% FG
- 40% from 3 on five attempts per game
Suns center Khaman Maluach (10) dunks against the Jazz during a game at the Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix on March 28, 2026. Syndication: Arizona Republic
After Monday’s 95-88 win over the Milwaukee Bucks, Maluach spoke postgame about the importance of not taking the process and reps for granted. For a teenager, last year could’ve been detrimental mentally for the big man. A lottery pick that was splitting his time in the NBA and G-League. However, that isn’t how the South Sudan native is hardwired. His mindset isn’t to prove others wrong but to prove himself right.
Maluach has a high belief in himself and it shows in his play by the growth from last year in Las Vegas. In his first 2025 Summer League game, he went one-for-six from beyond the arc and failed to make any significant impact defending the rim. Against the Bucks, Maluach set a career mark of 21 points and recorded four blocks to be a +18.
Feb 22, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns center Khaman Maluach (10) celebrates a three point shot against the Portland Trail Blazers in the first half at Mortgage Matchup Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
In just a little over a year, the 7’1 center has completely elevated his game in every aspect. He has become a dominate presence in the paint dunking it on top of everyone, while providing a steady outside shot. And defensively, Maluach’s lateral movement and athleticism has greatly improved. He has learned how to carry his impactful weight and size, using it for his advantage against opposing drivers.
His leap could lead to head coach Jordan Ott pushing him into the backup center role that Oso Ighodaro currenty holds or making a drastic leap of moving him above starter Mark Williams. The lob threat and rim protection that Maluach brings adds another layer to the Suns that Ighodaro and Williams can’t match. Summer League can be fool’s gold for some players and teams, but Phoenix should take the risk and unleash the 19-year-old.
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Reporter Tanner Tortorella covers general assignment for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @TannerTSports
