Duke University basketball standout Khaman Maluach may face unexpected challenges following a recent State Department ruling that affects South Sudanese passport holders in the United States.

On Saturday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced a significant policy change through his social media account on X: "Taking actions to revoke all visas held by South Sudanese passport holders and to restrict any further issuance to prevent entry into the United States, effective immediately."

Rubio cited "the failure of South Sudan's transitional government to accept the return of its repatriated citizens in a timely manner" as the rationale behind this sweeping decision.

The timing of this announcement comes just as Maluach concluded his freshman season at Duke, following the Blue Devils' heartbreaking loss to the Houston Cougars in Saturday's Final Four matchup. Throughout the season, the seven-foot, two-inch center emerged as a valuable contributor to Duke's roster, logging more than 800 minutes of playing time while averaging 8.6 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks per game.

When contacted about the situation, a State Department spokesperson told CNN on Monday: "We will provide further information and instructions to affected visa holders and applicants as it is available." CNN has reached out to Duke University for comment on how this policy might affect their student-athlete.

Maluach's journey to collegiate basketball stardom reflects remarkable resilience. Born in the town of Rumbek, he and his family were forced to flee to neighboring Uganda during his childhood due to ongoing conflict in South Sudan. Despite these challenges, Maluach's basketball talents flourished, culminating in his representing South Sudan at the Paris Olympics last year – a historic first for the nation's basketball program.

Before committing to Duke in March 2024, Maluach developed his skills at the NBA Academy Africa. His performance has impressed scouts and analysts, many of whom project him to be selected in the first round of the upcoming NBA draft.

The young athlete has previously spoken about the transformative power of basketball in his life. "Basketball means a big thing to me. I believe it's a gift God gave me to impact other people's lives and to change my family's life," he told BBC Sport Africa in 2024. "The orange ball has taken me so far."

This diplomatic development now adds unexpected complexity to Maluach's promising career trajectory, potentially affecting his academic studies, athletic participation, and professional prospects in American basketball.