NBA Summer League: Suns' Khaman Maluach looks ready for the spotlight in second season

The Phoenix Suns' South Sudanese big man Khaman Maluach looks ready to step into the spotlight in his second NBA season.

Through three Summer League games, the 7-footer has been one of the tournament's most dominant players, averaging 18.3 points, 11 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks per game while looking far more comfortable than he did as a rookie.

"The game has slowed down for me in general. Whether it’s with practice, whether it’s with NBA games, I see the game in a different way and I just keep learning. I just keep on getting better learning new stuff," Maluach said after finishing with 19 points and 11 rebounds in Phoenix's first Summer League win in Las Vegas.

Selected 10th overall in last year's NBA Draft, Maluach spent much of his rookie season learning behind veteran big men Mark Williams and Oso Ighodaro. Minutes were hard to come by, but instead of letting that discourage him, the 18-year-old used it as an opportunity to study the game from a different perspective.

"I’ve been really learning a lot from them. How they move, how they play, how they view the game in a different path. They’ve had a lot of different experiences. They played a lot of games. Just being able to sit down with them. Just being able to watch them. That preparation. That mentality going to the game."

Whenever his number was called, Maluach found ways to make an impact. He showed flashes of offensive potential while doing what he does best: protecting the rim and cleaning the glass. The steady improvement culminated in the final game of the regular season, when he matched career highs with 18 points and 14 rebounds.

And the growth has been hard to miss.

Considering Maluach only started playing basketball at 13 years old, his rise has been remarkably quick. From turning heads as a 16-year-old at the 2023 FIBA World Cup to starring at Duke, and now fighting for a bigger role in Phoenix, he has continued to take a step forward every year.

Heading into Year 2, however, his focus goes beyond scoring.

"Just really my defensive instincts, being able to really be effective without scoring and really being effective without getting the ball. Just being able to help my team guard the ball more. Being a better defender and just rebound," he said.

Although he downplays it, Maluach has quietly shown another dimension to his game this Summer League, knocking down at least one three-pointer in each of Phoenix's first three games.

"The three-pointers is really good, but it’s not my main focus really. It’s just icing on the cake. Being able to dominate inside and go outside is a good thing."

Throughout his journey, Maluach says his biggest strength has been staying locked in on the present instead of worrying about expectations.

"Outside noise really don't affect me. I just really focus on just staying with the process. I don’t really overthink. Not to think too much of the future and just be present and enjoy every moment."

If his Summer League performances are any indication, that mindset is beginning to pay off. And if it continues, Phoenix may have a young star ready to awaken.

—JMB, GMA News