Why Duke's Khaman Maluach bizarrely barfed mid-game vs. NC State

On Monday, Duke center Khaman Maluach threw up mid-game, and while it was gross, there’s a reason for it.

We won’t be sharing the video of Maluach barfing on the court (you can watch the video at your own risk), but here’s what happened.

With just over four minutes left in regulation, the Blue Devils’ center was engaged in a play when he paused and started backing up toward the baseline, realizing he was about to lose his lunch.

He tried to keep it together, but it was too late—SPLAT onto the floor.

Eventually, Malauch had to sit down and let trainers tend to him before being helped to the locker room. Postgame, head coach Jon Scheyer explained that the big was cramping. “He wasn’t sick … He was cramping,” Scheyer said.

“Chugged a lot of Gatorade quickly, and that’s what happened when he threw up … I just think it speaks to the character—that he was doing whatever he could to get back in the game.”

Jon Scheyer said Khaman Maluach was cramping and “drank too much Gatorade” when he vomited in the second half. Said he has to get him rest before the next game.

— Myron Medcalf (@MedcalfByESPN) January 28, 2025

Scheyer says it was cramping for Khaman Maluach in the 2nd half that led to vomiting. Adds that he was feeling much better after the game. pic.twitter.com/HPttMq9uHL

— Carolina Blitz (@KeepBlitzin) January 28, 2025