Duke Basketball Boasts 'One of Best Two-Way Players in Country'

Duke basketball's Kyle Filipowski, not just an offensive star, has six steals and eight blocks across the past three games.

Photo credit: Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports

Duke basketball sophomore Kyle Filipowski, the reigning ACC Rookie of the Year and the program's leading scorer (18.0 points per game) and rebounder (8.8) for the second straight season, tallied 19 points and four boards for the 16th-ranked Blue Devils in Saturday's 106-69 home win over unranked Queens.

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The 7-foot forward and projected 2024 first-round draft pick shot 8-for-10 from the field, 1-for-2 from three, and 2-for-3 at the line.

But it was Filipowski's defensive performance that drew high praise from second-year Duke basketball head coach Jon Scheyer. Filipowski, the first player to ever announce his commitment to Scheyer as a head coach on the recruiting trail, finished with two steals and five blocks.

Sure, it would be nice to still have Dereck Lively II, who is now shining as a defensive force and starter for the Dallas Mavericks, to take some of the load off Filipowski's shoulders and keep him out of foul trouble.

Even so, note that Filipowski has emerged as a defensive stopper in his own right. He leads the squad in steals (1.4) and blocks (2.0). And those averages appear on the rise, as he's recorded at least three of one or the other in three straight games.

That led to the following remarks from Scheyer to the media on Saturday afternoon:

"Especially the last few weeks, I think he's made a big jump on defense.

"People try to attack him, because if you can get a foul on him, it's a big play. Obviously, there are a lot of teams that play pick-and-roll anyway, and he's usually the guy where his man is setting it, but his activity has been key for us.

"His versatility. He's been guarding a lot of guards, staying in front, and also protecting our basket.

"I thought for a little while down there, he only had four rebounds, but he had two or three guys around him and he was figuring out a way to hit it out or come up with the ball.

"So, he's done a great job and really become one of the best two-way players in the country."

NEXT GAME: No. 16 Duke (9-3, 0-1 ACC) hosts unranked Syracuse (10-3, 1-1 ACC), 9 p.m. ET Tuesday (ESPN)

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