Projected top-20 pick Kyle Filipowksi announces return to Duke
By SAM LANCE
Duke’s leading scorer and rebounder from last year’s team — and projected top-20 NBA Draft pick Kyle Filipowski — will be returning to Durham for another year under Jon Scheyer, he announced via Twitter.
“When I committed here, I said I wanted to continue the Duke legacy,” Filipowski said in his announcement video. “I said I wanted to help coach Scheyer build the foundation. I meant what I said. Same dynasty, new legacy. I’m not done yet. See you next year.”
Filipowski, the 7-foot, 230-pound center from Westtown (NY), put up 15.1 points, 8.9 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game for the Blue Devils in 2022-23. The big man was awarded with the ACC Rookie of the Year and earned a spot on the All-ACC Second Team for his efforts.
“Being at Duke this past year was such a blessing,” Filipowski said. “This team, this place, the Crazies, it was incredible.”
Filipowski is a former top-5 overall recruit in the class of 2022 per 247Sports. He’s the second former top-5 recruit since 2020 to stay another year in school, joining only Emoni Bates. Filipowski was projected as the No. 17 overall pick in Jonathan Givony’s latest mock draft.
With Filipowski’s return, Duke will likely be AP’s No. 1 team preseason. The Blue Devils also return Tyrese Proctor, Mark Mitchell, Ryan Young, Jaden Schutt, Jaylen Blakes and Christian Reeves from last year’s squad. Additionally, four five-star 2023 prospects — Caleb Foster, Jared McCain, Sean Stewart and TJ Power — will join the roster. Point guard Jeremy Roach could also return, but he is testing the NBA Draft waters.
Suddenly a lot of depth at #Duke for next season…
— Brendan Marks (@BrendanRMarks) April 11, 2023
Guards: Tyrese Proctor, Jared McCain, Caleb Foster, *Jeremy Roach, Jaylen Blakes
Wings: Mark Mitchell, Jaden Schutt, TJ Power
Bigs: Kyle Filipowski, Sean Stewart, Ryan Young, Christian Reeves
Potential preseason No. 1 team.
Filipowski’s move also prompted top-10 ranked class of 2023 power forward Mackenzie Mgbako to request out of his NLI to Duke. Now, Duke has a projected two open scholarship spots if Roach decides to stay in the NBA Draft.
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