Blue Devil Country

Duke Basketball Big Man Earns First NBA Starting Nod

The Utah Jazz's Duke basketball product has posted efficient stat lines recently.

Matt Giles

Duke basketball forward Kyle Filipowski
Duke basketball forward Kyle Filipowski / Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
In this story:

On Tuesday night, recent two-year Duke basketball star Kyle Filipowski scored his first NBA regular season points — 12, in fact, across 25 minutes off the Utah Jazz bench. He added eight rebounds, two assists, and one steal in that 113-96 home loss to the Sacramento Kings.

ALSO READ: Cruelly Timed Setback for Duke Pro Paolo Banchero

And with 7-foot Jazz standout Lauri Markkanen out of commission with a back injury on Thursday night, Filipowski's promising efforts in his previous outing resulted in the 20-year-old center's first start as a pro.

Granted, Utah fell to 0-5 via a 106-88 home loss to Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs, whose lone NBA Blue Devil, guard Tre Jones, remains sidelined due to a right ankle sprain. Even so, Kyle Filipowski's numbers were once again encouraging in light of the fact that he didn't hear his name until the second round at the 2024 NBA Draft.

Against the Spurs, Filipowski tallied another 12 points, shooting 5-for-8 from the field, including a 2-for-4 clip beyond the arc. Plus, he grabbed five boards and delivered one dime in only 20 minutes on the floor.

Through Filipowski's four Jazz appearances, the New York native, a two-time All-ACC performer under Duke basketball head coach Jon Scheyer, is averaging 6.0 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 1.3 assists. He's shooting 52.6 percent from the field and 40.0 percent from deep in his 13.6 minutes per contest.

ALSO READ: More Positive Chatter in Major Blue Devil Recruiting Race

Stay tuned to Duke Blue Devils On SI for more updates on NBA Blue Devils and other Duke basketball news.

Published
Matt Giles
MATT GILES

Matt Giles is the editor and publisher of Duke Blue Devils on SI, North Carolina Tar Heels on SI, and NC State Wolfpack on SI, making him a key source for comprehensive coverage of these storied college basketball programs. Since joining SI in 2022, Matt has been dedicated to providing in-depth analysis, breaking news, and exclusive content on all three teams. He covers everything from game previews and recaps to player profiles and recruiting updates. Matt's expert knowledge of these teams has made his work a go-to resource for fans and followers of Duke, NC State, and UNC. As publisher, he shapes the editorial direction, ensuring that the most relevant and timely information reaches his audience.

Home/Basketball