Blue Devil Country

Duke Basketball Star Left in Uncomfortable Position at Draft

Perhaps Duke basketball's Kyle Filipowski will end up alongside two NBA Blue Devils in Toronto.

Matt Giles

Duke basketball forward Kyle Filipowski and head coach Jon Scheyer
Duke basketball forward Kyle Filipowski and head coach Jon Scheyer / Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports
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On Wednesday night, only two of the roughly two dozen players who were invited to the NBA Draft green room did not hear their names. One is Kansas one-and-done wing Johnny Furphy. The other is a decorated Duke basketball product in two-time All-ACC performer and one-time All-American forward Kyle Filipowski, the first recruit to ever announce a commitment to Jon Scheyer as head coach.

Understandably, the 7-footer didn't look like a happy camper afterward, evident in the following clip:

Odds are the 20-year-old Filipowski, who might've been a first-rounder last year had he opted not to return to Durham for a sophomore season under Scheyer following his eye-catching ACC Rookie of the Year campaign, will get drafted early in the second round. It gets under way at 4 p.m. ET (ESPN).

According to ESPN draft expert Jonathan Givony, Johnny Furphy is the No. 1 prospect still available, and Kyle Filipowski is sitting next on the list.

The first selection in the second round belongs to the Toronto Raptors, who currently boast two NBA Blue Devils in veteran guards Gary Trent Jr. and RJ Barrett. Rounding out the first five franchises to pick on Thursday afternoon are the Utah Jazz, Milwaukee Bucks, Portland Trail Blazers, and San Antonio Spurs.

Filipowski's former Duke basketball co-star, one-and-done guard Jared McCain, came off the board to the Philadelphia 76ers at No. 16 overall.

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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.

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