In a Draft rather poor in leaky interiors, Kyle Filipowski has a nice card to play. The sophomore from Duke is the type of profile who will probably not become a star, but with qualities that are already well established and completely transferable to the NBA. An essential link in the creation of the Blue Devils' attack, he was also the defensive keystone due to his size. His role should be more limited upon his arrival among the professionals.
But his qualities can offer him minutes in a role tailor-made for any franchise looking for an interior basketball IQ.
Profile
Job : strong winger – pivot
Size : 2m10
Weight : 104 kg
Team : Duke Blue Devils (NCAA)
Stats 2023/24: 16.4 points at 50.5%, 8.3 rebounds, 2.8 assists in 30.4 minutes
Strong points
– Pass quality. A true modern interior, Kyle Filipowski is capable of dribbling and then shows his superior vision of the game for an interior. Out wide, in the low post, on the move or after a screen, the Blue Devil is a gifted passer, helped by his size to analyze the game. Without being a Nikola Jokic in power, he can be a very good connector in a fluid attack.
– Shooting potential. Capable of playing wide distribution, he made real progress this season from afar in his second year at Duke (from 28.2% to 34.8% on similar volume). If he manages to continue on this path, he will become all the more dangerous as a fleeing “big man” who will be able to find his teammates if he is pressed too closely, such as punishing behind the arc. Be careful, however, his free throw percentage has seriously decreased at the same time (from 76.5 to 67.1%).
Weakness
– A “deceptive” physique. Very close to the “seven feet” that he reaches with shoes, Kyle Filipowski is not in the mold of tall interiors because he is weighed down by a “negative” wingspan, slightly smaller than his height. Not ideal for a 5 position, and he doesn't have the fluidity of movement or creation for himself to be an offensive forward out wide.
Comparison
Same size, same wingspan, weight and similar game, Kyle Filipowski can totally dream of a career at Kelly Olynyk. It is also not unlike Santi Aldama by its ability to stretch defenses.
Prognosis
Around the 20e positionpossibly a little higher, or even at the very beginning of the first round if franchises prefer to look towards more potential but less certainty and immediate contribution.
