Heading into the primary evening of the 2024 NBA Draft, former Duke All-American entrance court docket participant Kyle Filipowski was nearly universally tabbed as a lock to be chosen someplace in the course of the primary spherical.
However after 30 picks had been made on Wednesday evening, the 6-foot-11, 230 pound ahead was nonetheless on the board regardless of being invited to the Inexperienced Room.
Following a sophomore season through which he earned First Group All-ACC honors and was a Concensus Second Group All-American, Filipowksi declared for the NBA Draft. The choice made sense after he led Duke in scoring (16.4), rebounds (8.3), blocks (1.5), steals (1.1), complete discipline targets (220) and complete free throws (112) as often a high producing participant on a profitable Duke group finds his manner into the assured cash spherical of the draft.
However that wasn’t the case on Wednesday evening as NBA groups prioritized long run upside from worldwide gamers or extra uncooked athletic prospects.
Now, because the draft will enter its second day, the narrative surrounding Filipowski will change as CBS Draft analyst Cameron Salerno famous.
“It was very shocking that Filipowski fell out of the primary spherical solely,” wrote Salerno. “Filipowski is considered the most effective offensive gamers on this class and ranked No. 16 on CBS Sports activities’ huge board. Whoever drafts Filipowski within the second spherical might be getting some of the gifted 7-footers within the class.”
Former head coach Jon Scheyer agreed with that characterization of his beginning huge man, posting a ultimate pre-draft thought to this system’s social media.
“He’s extremely expert personnel. He is sort of a guard. Could not be extra excited for him,” Scheyer mentioned.
So what was it about Filipowski that scared groups off all through the evening? It is robust to say, however the former 5 star prospect did endure a number of surgical procedures throughout his time in Durham together with two main procedures on his hip following his freshman season. Moreover, groups had been reportedly involved with a perceived lack of polish on his inside transfer set, a generally streaky and overused perimeter shot, and a scarcity of elite quickness and rim safety on the defensive finish.
Throughout the mix stage of the Draft course of Filipowski measured out at 6-foot-10.75 with a wingspan of simply 6-foot-10.5. Â He additionally examined within the backside half of the category for each leaping and foot pace.
As one school head coach who confronted Duke this season informed TheAthletic’s Davis Aldridge:
“I believe he is a great participant. My huge factor for him, for that league, is: What place? The place he struggled this yr was when he performed in opposition to larger guys – not essentially top, however guys who had the physicality to face as much as him. He did not have Energetic this yr so he wound up enjoying the 5. Offensively, he can shoot it, he can put it on the ground, and I used to be actually impressed along with his passing this yr. He confirmed that. However the defensive half is the half that might concern me. One in all them dudes is gonna knock the s— out of him, and what’s he gonna do then?”
No matter why he dropped out of the primary spherical, Filipowski now has an opportunity to forge a path ahead as second spherical choice.