Duke’s Kyle Filipowski could have turned pro last year, but decided to return to Durham with unfinished business.
The Blue Devils are already a step further than they went during Filipowski’s first season, advancing to the Sweet 16 after blowout wins over Vermont and James Madison.
Although the star forward has not put up the scoring numbers we know he is capable of, he has impacted both games at a high level in other areas.
In two March Madness games, Filipowski is only averaging 8.5 points, but he only took one shot in the win over Vermont, collecting 12 rebounds, four assists, three blocks and two steals. He was more aggressive against JMU, scoring 14 points on 6-of-8 shooting from the field, but still added another five rebounds, four assists, two steals and a block to his totals.
The further Duke progresses, the brighter the stage becomes. That gives Filipowski more opportunities to improve his NBA Draft stock as he looks to secure himself a lottery pick in 2024.
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Kyle Filipowski Statistics
| statistics | Average |
| Points | 16.6 |
| Rebounds | 8.2 |
| Assists | 2.9 |
| Blocks | 1.6 |
| steal | 1.2 |
| Field goal % | 51.5 |
| % of 3 points | 34.6 |
| Free shot % | 66.7 |
Kyle Filipowski’s Strengths
Filipowski is a 7-foot, 248-pound big man whose game will translate seamlessly to the NBA.
The Duke sophomore can stretch the floor and protect the paint. He is a willing 3-point shooter, making 34.6 percent of his 104 attempts this season. He is able to play with his back to the basket or face up with a soft shooting touch. He is physical when he wants to, rebounds at a high level and can score around the rim with smooth footwork.
Filipowski is lethal as a blocker because he can jump, roll and even make plays as a passer on a short throw. He will be a dangerous weapon for NBA teams that can maximize his strengths.
Filipowski is not afraid to handle the ball or attempt difficult passes. He plays active, hands-on defense, recording a total of 87 steals and 80 blocks in 70 college games.
His coordination, mobility and versatility are rare for a player his size, and he will be a reliable rotation big in the NBA.
Kyle Filipowski Weaknesses
Although Filipowski plays with attitude, he tends to shrink from important and physical confrontations. Despite primarily playing the five this season, he projects more as a four than a center at the NBA level.
Filipowski has improved his three-point shot as a sophomore, but he still shoots an inconsistent 31.1 percent on more than 220 career attempts. It will be interesting to see if that number improves as he gets more catch-and-shoot looks in the NBA.
His ball handling and passing skills are encouraging, but they also result in a lot of turnovers. It may be partly his role as the go-to guy at Duke, but Filipowski tries to do too much on the offensive end. As a result, he has more turnovers (160) than assists (153) in two seasons.
The big question is what kind of role Filipowski will play in the NBA. Will he be more of a perimeter-oriented big man or will he be able to hold his own in the paint? His versatility is a strength, but the situation he finds himself in will also be equally important in defining his role.
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Kyle Filipowski NBA Mock Draft Projection
Mock Draft Projection: selection of the 20 best
In my pre-NCAA tournament mock draft, I projected Filipowski to go 19th overall to the Suns. While I think he would fit in very well with Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal, it’s safe to assume that Filipowski has hopes of winning the lottery.
Filipowski would have been a fringe lottery pick had he declared for the 2023 NBA Draft. Instead, he elected to return to Duke, looking to avenge a second-round March Madness exit while racking up Name, Image and Likeness deals (NIL) and improving his game in hopes of increasing his draft stock.
Even in a weaker draft class, Filipowski’s draft range feels similar to last year’s. He could easily go in the lottery, but it would be a surprise if he were in the top 10. Anywhere between 10 and 20 feels safe, with the latter being a steal for whichever team ends up with him.
Comparison of NBA players to Kyle Filipowski
Play like: PJ Washington
It’s not a perfect comparison between players, but Filipowski and Washington have some similarities as big men stretching on the court. Both can play as a four or five, serve as a roller or popper on ball screens, make plays for others and defend with active hands.
Although their playing styles overlap, Filipowski is four inches taller and was much more productive in college. I’d say his NBA ceiling is higher as well, but Washington has quietly gotten his career off to a solid start.
The Kentucky product has averaged 12.8 points, 5.5 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.7 three-pointers, 1.0 blocks and 0.9 steals per game over five seasons. That sounds like what Filipowski is capable of doing at the next level.
