
Alier Maluk Q&A

After being born and spending early childhood in South Sudan, Alier Maluk moved to the United States where he eventually took up basketball. Starting out playing as more of a guard, Maluk developed his cognitive motor skills early before growing into his current 6’10” frame. Now the class of 2025 forward boasts a versatile two-way game thanks to his impressive coordination, agility, length and perimeter skill-set. Look for Maluk to continue boosting his stock as he aims to lead Imani Christian Academy (PA) to a state title this season.
As part of the Pro Insight Q&A series, Maluk discusses how he got his start in basketball, his on-court attributes, recent experience with USA Basketball, recruitment update, off-court interests, and much more.
For the next installment of the Pro Insight Q&A series, we present 2025 prospect Alier Maluk, from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania:
Pro Insight: Talk about your basketball journey — how did you get to where you are today?
Alier Maluk: I started playing basketball at the park with all of the older kids. At the time I met an older kid [Mark] in the neighborhood and he kind of took me under his wing. He had a couple other brothers and we started working out and we’ve been tight ever since.
PI: How old were you at the time?
AM: I was around 7 or 8 years old.
PI: Were you naturally talented from the start?
AM: I’d say I was a naturally good shooter, but I’ve since developed all of my talent since.
PI: Do you play much back home in South Sudan?
AM: I didn’t really play basketball back home, I was just playing soccer. I was in South Sudan until I was three years old.
PI: Do you have any other athletes in the family?
AM: No, I’m the only one in my immediate family.
PI: Where do you get your height from?
AM: Both of my parents are over 6’1” and my grandparents were tall.
PI: Are you the tallest member of your immediate family?
AM: Yes I am.
PI: Have you always been tall or did you hit a growth spurt?
AM: I hit a growth spurt later in life.
PI: Did you start off as a guard?
AM: Yeah, I wasn’t always the biggest when I played so I always had to play as a guard. Then I just grew.
PI: Talk about the basketball culture in South Sudan.
AM: It wasn’t as good when I was younger, there wasn’t a lot of basketball. It was more popular later in the decade, but [when I was there] there was hardly any basketball. The closest places to play were either Kenya, Egypt or Ethiopia.
PI: Describe your game — what are some of your greatest strengths?
AM: I’m a good rim protector, rebounder and shooter.
PI: What about some improvement areas?
AM: I’m working on my physicality and my left hand.
PI: What would you say is an underrated aspect of your game?
AM: I’d say my passing.
PI: Have you always had good court vision?
AM: I developed it later on as I started getting double-teamed.
PI: Any players you watch or model your game after?
AM: Brandon Ingram and Kevin Durant as forwards and Kyrie Irving as a guard.
PI: Talk about your summer — what did you show coaches and scouts?
AM: I would say it was a good summer. I got to really show the coaches my fluidity and rebounding.
PI: Was it a big summer in terms of picking up offers?
AM: I’d say it was a good summer for that. It wasn’t too big at the beginning, but I picked up three to four towards the end.
PI: What are some of your goals for this upcoming high school season?
AM: I want to win sectional and win state. Those are my goals for the year.
PI: Did you come close to winning state last season?
AM: We lost in the semi-finals.
PI: Can you share a bit about your family’s journey to America?
AM: Yeah, my dad got through a camp during the war and he got to Kenya. Then they picked him to be selected to go to America. He got sent to Arizona and I was born in Africa. Then he paid for me and my mom to come over to the states.
PI: Have you been back to Sudan?
AM: No, I’m trying to go back so I can play on the National Team.
PI: What’s the latest with that?
AM: Yeah, my coaches have that connection with them.
PI: Have you participated in anything with the National Team?
AM: No, not yet. I want to see if I can play soon, but it’s a different league out there.
PI: You recently participated in the USA Basketball minicamp — how was that experience?
AM: It was great. Good competition and NBA scouts were there. I’m just glad I played the right way.
PI: Were you nervous or excited to show out in front of NBA teams?
AM: I w