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Suns honor rookie Khaman Maluach with custom heritage jeresy

Originally posted on Burn City Sports
By Tanner Tortorella | Last updated Feb 10, 2026 8:58 PM ET

GLENDALE – The Phoenix Suns are taking Tuesday’s game vs. the Dallas Mavericks to honor their rookie center’s heritage. 19-year-old Khaman Maluach hasn’t gotten a lot of run this season for the franchise, but general manager Brian Gregory and his staff knew he would be a project. While he progresses everyday, Maluach’s worke ethic and personality has shine through to his head coach Jordan Ott and his teammates.

The organization is honoring Maluach and his hertiage by giving away 5,000 custom jerseys to fans for Tuesday’s game that contain the flag colors of South Sudan and Uganda.

From South Sudan and by way of Uganda, Khaman Maluach's journey to the NBA is one-of-a-kind.

The first 5,000 fans at tonight's game will receive a custom Khaman Maluach heritage jersey!

GET TIX: https://t.co/rwDPU3JQKv pic.twitter.com/dMJEmpPcl5
— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) February 10, 2026

The night will be special for fans and the young center that has uplifted his life the last two years coming to the states. It would be an understandable if Maluach needed an adjustment period. However, Ott is just so impressed with how much Maluach has grown since joining the franchise.

Ott on Maluach’s growth this season:

Phoenix @Suns head coach Jordan Ott spoke extensively on the growth of rookie center Khaman Maluach so far this season, as the team is giving away 5,000 South Sudan heritage jerseys to fans for tonight’s game vs. the @dallasmavs.#PhoenixSuns #SunsUp #NBA #Mavericks pic.twitter.com/ok0XrKpiRf

— Burn City Sports (@BurnCitySports) February 11, 2026

Maluach has only appeared in 22 games and averaging 1.1 points and 0.9 rebounds. The Suns center rotation was fierce with the arrival of starting center Mark Williams and two returners in Oso Ighodaro and Nick Richards. That could change after the NBA trade deadline, after Phoenix shipped off Richards to the Milwaukee Bucks for Cole Anthony and Amir Coffey.

If what Ott said is any indication, Maluach seems ready to take his reps from the G League to the NBA and show his improvement. It’s unclear if Maluach will make an appearance in Tuesday’s game, but it being his night and mix in a lengthy Mavericks team, tonight seems better than ever opportunity to show some proof.

This article first appeared on Burn City Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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