In a recent game between Duke and North Carolina State, Duke's freshman big man Khaman Maluach experienced a health scare on the court. Maluach, a 7-foot-2 player, vomited during the second half of the game but was reported to be okay after the incident.
The episode occurred when Maluach was positioned near the baseline and suddenly became sick with just over four minutes remaining in the game. Despite the unsettling moment, Maluach remained alert and received medical attention from the team's staff. He was able to sit up and eventually walk off the court with assistance, later leaving the bench for the remainder of the game.
Duke's coach Jon Scheyer clarified that Maluach's condition was due to cramping and consuming a large amount of Gatorade quickly. The stoppage caused by Maluach's illness lasted approximately five minutes, during which the court was cleaned thoroughly.
Teammates expressed confidence in Maluach's resilience, with graduate transfer Sion James praising his toughness and predicting a swift recovery. The game also witnessed another health-related interruption when a fan fainted in the stands due to overheating but was treated on-site and able to leave independently.
The game itself was a challenging one for Duke, who had to overcome a 13-point deficit before securing a hard-fought victory against North Carolina State. With a packed schedule, including back-to-back games, Duke's young team faces physical demands that require careful management.
Looking ahead, Duke prepares for the intense rivalry game against North Carolina, a significant test for the freshmen-led team. Coach Scheyer emphasized the need to prioritize Maluach's recovery and ensure the team's physical readiness for upcoming challenges.
As Duke continues its successful season in the Atlantic Coast Conference, the health and well-being of players and fans remain a top priority for the team and arena officials.
