NBA Draft: Kyle Filipowski Brings a Lot to the Table as a Modern Big

The Duke Blue Devils center made the right choice returning to school, and now Kyle Filipowski is a near-lottery lock.

Last season, Kyle Filipowski decided to withdraw his name from the 2023 NBA Draft. Looking back on it, that was a good call by the Duke Blue Devil. 

Fast forward to the 2024 NBA Draft class, and Filipowski has played his way into being a near-lottery lock in the June draft. The 7-footer is averaging 16.5 points, 8.1 rebounds, 2.9 rebounds and 2.6 stocks per game. 

The Blue Devils' big man can be used as an offensive hub in the high post, firing passes inside to cutters or keeping the ball moving to shooters as the defense struggles to rotate. By not being a ball stopper, the sophomore elevates offenses and creates advantages. 

Coupled with his ability to play make out of the post, he can score with his back to the basket, jump-stopping through defenses and using a drop step to create space. Rarely does Filipowski explode into a jump at the rim, typically using finesse once he gets to the cup. The Duke big man has only thrown down 21 slams this season, and as a seven-footer in college he only attempts four free throws a game. 

The Westtown, NY product can finish plays as a roller (1.13 points per possession) and cutter (1.50 points per possession) at a high clip, shooting nearly 60% at the rim this season. 

While Filipowski spaces the floor shooting 35 percent from beyond the arc, there is a little concern about how his shot will level off at the NBA level. The Duke big man is only shooting 66% at the charity stripe this season, but his career average is above the 70% mark used to project shooting touch. Another massive plus is Filipowski shooting 38% on catch-and-shoot looks, including 53% on guarded catch-and-shoot chances rising over matchups. 

Filipowski does not run the floor hard in transition, leaving his success in an up-tempo offense up to his three-point shooting ability as a trailer.  

Defensively, Filipowski does a really good job of using his frame and being in the right spot. Rarely caught out of position, the anchor of the Duke defense can create havoc. His long arms let help to deflect entry passes or take away cutters, his hips let him cover ground around the rim only seeing matchups convert at a 40% clip. 

While the seven-footer will not get totally exposed on the perimeter, you would much prefer Filipowski playing in drop coverage or show-and-recover.  

Ultimately, Filipowski can make a high impact on the offensive end, especially as spacing improves at the NBA level, while being one of the most sound big men defenders in the NBA at worst. The Duke center still has untapped potential with a ceiling that has you dreaming of defensive player of the year potential and a floor that is set at being one of the best backup centers in the NBA.  

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