DURHAM, N.C. — Following a hard-fought 74-64 victory against North Carolina State on Monday night, Duke’s head coach Jon Scheyer provided an update on freshman Khaman Maluach, who experienced a health scare by vomiting on the court during the second half. Maluach, who stands at 7-foot-2, was positioned near the baseline when he became ill with just over four minutes remaining in the game.
After the incident, Maluach was initially seated on the court and laid down on his back while medical personnel attended to him. Fortunately, he remained conscious throughout the ordeal and was eventually able to sit up and walk off the court with assistance. He did not return to the bench for the remainder of the match.
Coach Scheyer clarified that Maluach’s vomiting was due to cramping rather than an illness, stemming from him consuming a large amount of Gatorade too rapidly. “It just speaks to his character,” Scheyer noted. “He was eager to get back into the game but misjudged his hydration.” The stoppage caused by this incident led to a roughly five-minute delay as staff cleaned the court thoroughly.
Graduate transfer teammate Sion James praised Maluach’s toughness, stating, “Khaman’s one of the toughest people I know. We trust that he’ll bounce back, and we’re confident he’ll be just fine.”
The game was marked not only by Maluach’s health incident but also by another stoppage when a Duke fan fainted in the stands with around 3.5 minutes left in the game. According to Duke spokesperson Kyle Serba, the fan had become overheated but was treated promptly and was able to walk out on her own.
With their record now at 18-2 and a perfect 10-0 in the Atlantic Coast Conference, the Blue Devils faced N.C. State just two days after a tough victory over Wake Forest. This recent match added another layer of intensity, especially as it was a rematch of last year’s NCAA Tournament Elite Eight where N.C. State triumphed during their unexpected run to the Final Four.
Duke will next draw upon its youthful roster, featuring standout freshmen such as Cooper Flagg, Kon Knueppel, and Maluach, as they prepare for a highly awaited matchup against their rivals in North Carolina. Scheyer expressed concerns about Maluach’s recovery, emphasizing the need for proper rest as they continue to compete intensely. “We have to assist our freshmen in being better prepared for these physical challenges,” he stated.
