These are the vagaries of this new Draft format. A player expected in the first round of the Draft who gradually slides towards the end of the first round or even the second, that is not uncommon in the NBA. This was notably the case of Bol Bol who was announced as a “lottery pick”, then was expected in the second part of the first round in 2019 and who was finally selected later, in 44th position.
Except that for Bol Bol, the two Draft rounds took place on the same evening. Kyle FilipowskiDuke's center, had to return to the hotel empty-handed Wednesday night and wait another 18 hours before being selected by the Jazz.
“Draft night has a lot of mixed emotions and nervousness and anxiety.”, he recognizes, “It’s hard to wait this long without someone calling your name. But, to be honest, I'm just happy. I feel like I've arrived at the right place. That's what matters most to me. »
Kyle Filipowski will finally have the relief of hearing his name quickly called in second place in the second round. And above all, in a team that he liked, with the Jazz. He can play there like Kelly Olynyk before him, and he can be complementary to Lauri Markkanen.
Kyle Filipowski's failed workouts
“To be honest, I'm just happy to be in the right place. This is what matters most to me; no matter what position I am selected for,” says the former Duke player. “I'm just super happy because Utah was one of my favorite places during the workouts in terms of organization and environment. »
According to ESPN, This drop in the Draft would be the cause of failed “workouts” for the interior, his interviews having not enthused the franchises either, and Kyle Filipowski will be thirsty for revenge after this mishap.
“Of course, it feeds me. I feel like that's kind of how my whole life has been, with being underestimated, not appreciated at my true worth, with certain preconceived ideas about how I can behave.”concludes Kyle Filipowski. “This will make me vengeful. I just can't wait to use this as motivation. Like I said, I think the most important thing is to be in the right place. It will definitely bring out the best in me and I think it will create something special for me. »
For its part, the Jazz did not consider that the Blue Devil's nervousness would be a hindrance to selecting him, and in the end the franchise made a good deal by recovering a player whose value seemed higher.
“We thoroughly research all prospects to make sure we are confident in selecting them,” says Steven Schwartz, vice president of basketball strategy for the Jazz.. “We're more than happy to have Kyle join the Jazz and we're comfortable with everything. We're happy with who he is, and we're not worried.”
