A future NBA star is in danger of being deported by Donald Trump.

BarcelonaSouth Sudan is such a poor country that it doesn't even have indoor arenas for sports. Yet its national basketball team qualified to play in the World Cup and, later, the Olympic Games. Royal Ivey, its coach, puts the magnitude of the milestone into context. "Not long ago, we were training on flooded courts outdoors, with eagles soaring above us," he explains. One of the reasons for the feat is the contribution of Khaman Maluach, a young man destined to become an NBA star.

Maluach, who became the third-youngest athlete in history to compete in a World Cup, has a bright future. "He'll be a great player, and it's exciting that people are getting to see him," says Luol Deng, president of the South Sudan Basketball Federation. After a great season at Duke University, his biggest challenge is to play in the NBA.

The problem is that Donald Trump's policies put their status at risk. The president announced that he will revoke all visas for South Sudanese citizens due to that country's refusal to accept deportees from the United States. Furthermore, and according to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the United States will also block the entry into the country of any citizen from South Sudan, the youngest country in the world.

The protected status granted to them by Joe Biden will expire on May 3. The measure directly affects the 18-year-old, 2.18-meter-tall young man, whom specialists place among the top 10 or 15 positions in the draft of the NBA. The election will be held on June 25 and 26. If he leaves the United States, it would be virtually impossible for the player to re-enter.

Duke University assures that it "is aware of the announcement made by the State Department" and that it is "analyzing the situation to understand what implications it may have for its students." Maluach currently has a student visa. In principle, this government measure does not affect players who are already part of the NBA, WNBA, or G League, such as JT Thor (Washington Wizards) and Duop Reath (Portland Trail Blazers), who have dual citizenship.

"If they are in the country legally and their visas are revoked, they cannot leave, because here they can maintain their status, but if they leave, their visa will not be considered valid to return," Travis Murphy, a diplomat who works as an advisor to the NBA on matters related to international politics, told The Athletic. When Maluach is drafted, will be guaranteed a permanent stay in the United States, but will still not be able to leave the country unless he receives the special type of permit: "His option is to not leave the United States so that his visa remains valid," he says.

Maluach also won't be able to receive visits from any of his family members who aren't currently in the United States. The player hasn't returned to his home country for two years and hasn't been able to see his parents either. Only his older sister has been able to accompany him for a portion of the college tournament.

Donald Trump's measures also affect Maluach's participation with his country. The center won't be able to play in the 2027 World Cup in Qatar, but he will be able to play in the 2028 Olympic Games, which will be held in Los Angeles.