Tag: Kyle Filipowski

Where did Jared McCain and Kyle Filipowski go in The Athletic’s new NBA mock draft?

The Athletic’s Sam Vecenie released a new NBA mock draft on Thursday morning and paired two former Blue Devils with two big teams.

The Athletic’s Sam Vecenie released a new NBA mock draft on Thursday and paired former Duke basketball stars [autotag]Jared McCain[/autotag] and [autotag]Kyle Filipowski[/autotag] with two recent playoff heavyweights.

Vecenie put McCain on the Philadelphia 76ers (a team that is becoming a popular destination for the sharpshooting 20-year-old) before Filipowski went 24th to the New York Knicks.

McCain, who made more than 41% of his 3-pointers last season and scored at least 30 points twice in four NCAA Tournament games, wowed fans and scouts at the combine with his shooting display. He’s earned comparisons to the Currys, two-time MVP Steph and former Blue Devil Seth, for his form and consistency from behind the line.

Vecenie pointed out that McCain averaged 16.2 points, 5.2 rebounds and 1.9 assists during his final 28 games.

“Over the last two-thirds of the season, McCain was one of the best freshman scorers in high-major college basketball,” Vecenie wrote. “He made 41.6 percent of his 6.4 3-point attempts per game during that span and consistently got into the lane in transition or when driving closeouts. I also thought he improved drastically on defense over his final 15 or so games.”

Filipowski, a 7-footer who can participate in the offense as a ball-handler and distributor, earns first-round hype for his particular skillset. He made nearly 35% of his 3-pointers.

“(Filipowski) carried the Blue Devils through long stretches of games with his ability to catch the ball on the block and score,” Vecenie wrote. “But pro scouts are more intrigued by his well-rounded perimeter game.”

The NBA draft begins on June 26.

Jared McCain and Kyle Filipowski go to playoff teams in new USA TODAY Sports mock draft

USA TODAY Sports released a new NBA mock draft on Thursday morning and put Jared McCain and Kyle Filipowski just outside of lottery range.

USA TODAY Sports released a new NBA mock draft on Thursday morning with less than a week before the Atlanta Hawks get put on the clock.

Jeff Zillgett and Scooby Axson teamed to pair the best prospects from around the world with certain NBA teams, and former Duke basketball stars [autotag]Jared McCain[/autotag] and [autotag]Kyle Filipowski[/autotag] found themselves just outside of lottery range in the projection.

McCain, who routinely goes first in most projections, went 16th overall to the Philadelphia 76ers. Home of 2022-23 NBA MVP Joel Embiid and 2023-24 Most Improved Player Tyrese Maxey, the Sixers remain in search of additional pieces to push them into the elusive Eastern Conference finals.

After his lights-out shooting performance at the combine, many analysts think McCain can be one of those pieces.

Six picks later, Filipowski went 22nd to the Phoenix Suns. Another team with major star power, Phoenix boasts Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal as its main trio (and former Blue Devil [autotag]Grayson Allen[/autotag] as a key rotational piece) but the team’s depth forced them out of the playoffs in the opening round.

As an All-American 7-footer who averaged 2.8 assists per game, Filipowski can provide frontcourt depth while remaining a part of the perimeter offense.

“A low-post big who uses his size, strength and athleticism,” the duo wrote. “As the screener on pick-and-rolls, he can step outside and hit 3s and go to the bucket for dunks and layups.”

The NBA draft begins on June 26.

Jared McCain and Kyle Filipowski go to big-market East Coast NBA teams in ESPN mock draft

ESPN’s Jonathan Givony and Jeremy Woo released a new mock draft on Wednesday, and the two available Duke players went to some iconic teams.

ESPN released a new NBA mock draft on Wednesday, one week before the opening round of the 2024 draft.

Writers Jonathan Givony and Jeremy Woo paired 58 prospects with specific spots in the draft, and both Duke players on the board went in the first round to some iconic franchises from the Northeast.

[autotag]Jared McCain[/autotag], the freshman who shot 41.4% from 3-point range and finished with three 30-point games as a debutant last season, went first to the Philadelphia 76ers with the 16th overall pick.

The prediction would pair him with 2022-23 NBA MVP Joel Embiid and 2023-24 Most Improved Player Tyrese Maxey as the Sixers try to reach a summit that has eluded them for the past decade: the Eastern Conference finals.

“As an excellent shooter with impressive intangibles that have bolstered his case in the short and long term, McCain is well-prepared for an NBA adjustment and could be on a faster track to making an impact than your typical freshman,” Woo wrote.

[autotag]Kyle Filipowski[/autotag] went eight picks later to the New York Knicks with the 24th pick. A 7-footer who made the Second Team All-American squad as a sophomore averaged more than 16 points and eight rebounds per game, but his 2.8 assists per game make him an intriguing first-round prospect.

“Filipowski’s ability to handle, pass and shoot is difficult to come by at 7-foot, and the dearth of versatile bigs who can play inside and out will surely be attractive to a team picking in this range,” Givony wrote.

The NBA draft gets underway on June 26.

See where Bleacher Report put Jared McCain and Kyle Filipowski in new NBA mock draft

Bleacher Report’s Jonathan Wasserman released a new NBA mock draft on Wednesday, and Jared McCain got paired with another former Blue Devil.

Bleacher Report’s Jonathan Wasserman released a new NBA mock draft on Wednesday morning, one week before the 2024 NBA draft gets underway on June 26, and he paired one recent Duke basketball star with another former Blue Devil.

Wasserman put [autotag]Jared McCain[/autotag] on the Orlando Magic with the 18th overall pick and [autotag]Kyle Filipowski[/autotag] went 28th to the Denver Nuggets, last year’s NBA champions.

McCain would be paired with [autotag]Paolo Banchero[/autotag], who led the Blue Devils to the Final Four in 2022 before winning the 2022-23 NBA Rookie of the Year honors. As a 41.4% 3-point shooter, McCain would provide ideal floor spacing alongside the 6-foot-10 Banchero, and he showed off his form and consistency with a highlight-reel performance at the combine.

Filipowski, a 7-footer who averaged nearly three assists per game last season, would get to learn behind three-time MVP Nikola Jokic, the best 7-footer passer in league history.

The Magic earned the fifth seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs last year, taking the Cleveland Cavaliers to seven games before losing in the first round, while the Nuggets earned the third seed in the Western Conference and fell in the second round.

Report: Bulls host predraft workout featuring All-American Terrence Shannon Jr.

Former Illinois guard Terrence Shannon Jr. was reportedly among the draft prospects who worked out with the Bulls on Monday.

Former Illinois guard Terrence Shannon Jr. was reportedly among the draft prospects who worked out with the Chicago Bulls on Monday, according to Darnell Mayberry of The Athletic.

Shannon was voted a third-team All-American by the Associated Press after averaging 23 points, four rebounds, 2.3 assists and one steal in 32 games this past season as a fifth-year senior. He finished third in the country in scoring and sixth in free throws (221).

Joining Shannon in the workout on Monday were UCLA forward Adem Bona, Virginia guard Ryan Dunn, Duke forward Kyle Filipowski, G League Ignite forward Ron Holland and Villanova guard Justin Moore.

Shannon on Thursday was found not guilty of two felony charges of rape and sexual aggravated battery by a jury in a Kansas courtroom. He was suspended indefinitely by the university and ultimately only missed six games after a judge issued a temporary restraining order.

The 23-year-old finished the season, leading the Fighting Illini to the Elite Eight for the first time since 2005. He was projected to be a first-round pick prior to his arrest, with his athleticism and ability to score efficiently at a high level.

His visit with the Bulls is his first known workout of the predraft process. He is expected to meet with other teams ahead of the draft on June 26-27 for workouts and interviews.

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All-American Kyle Filipowski is showing teams his ability as a shooter in workouts

Filipowski improved as a 3-point shooter this past season and is working hard to show teams that ability in predraft workouts.

Kyle Filipowski improved as a 3-point shooter this past season as a sophomore, and the former Duke center is working hard to show teams that ability in predraft workouts.

Filipowski was named a consensus second-team All-American after averaging 16.4 points, 8.3 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.5 blocks and 1.1 steals on 34.8% shooting from 3-point range. He became the seventh Blue Devil in the past 50 years to eclipse 1,000 points in his first two seasons.

The 7-footer led the team in points, rebounds, blocks, steals, field goals (220) and free throws (112). He registered 12 20-point games, including a career-high 30 points, 13 rebounds, four assists and two blocks on Jan. 13 in a win over Georgia Tech.

He explained this week what he wants to show teams.

I think a lot of it is how well I can shoot the 3. You’re playing a certain role every night. Sometimes, I may shoot a lot of 3s, sometimes I may not and sometimes I’m being utilized in different ways. I’m glad to be able to show how well I think I can shoot the 3, pass the ball, scan the floor and read the court with the space.

Filipowski fine-tuned some of his weaknesses this past season. He improved his 3-point percentage from 28.2% as a freshman on 3.1 attempts per game and doubled his block percentage to 5.7. He hit at least three 3-pointers in six games.

The 20-year-old, who has had two known workouts with the Orlando Magic and Portland Trail Blazers, is considered a first-round pick this year. He has a wide draft range and has been projected to go as high as the lottery and as low as the early 20s.

Filipowski projects to be able to step in and provide a scoring presence in the paint with the ability to space the floor. He is also working on showcasing his versatility on defense and should emerge as an impact player at the next level with improvement on that end of the court.

The 2024 NBA draft will take place June 26-27 in New York City.

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Former Duke basketball star Kyle Filipowski invited to the NBA draft

The sophomore All-American received an invite to the green room for the NBA draft according to an ESPN report on Friday.

Former Duke basketball star [autotag]Kyle Filipowski[/autotag] received an invitation to the NBA draft green room, according to a Friday report from ESPN’s Jonathan Givony.

After a freshman season that included ACC Tournament MVP honors and the conference’s Rookie of the Year award, the 7-footer returned to the Blue Devils for a second season in 2023-24. He was rewarded with a spot Second Team All-American squad after he averaged 16.4 points and 8.3 rebounds per game.

The New York native entices teams because of his two abnormal skills as a tall forward: his 3-point shooting (34.8% from beyond the arc last season) and his ability to facilitate with the ball in his hands (2.8 assists per game).

In March, he helped the No. 4-seed Blue Devils reach the Sweet 16 when he scored 16 points against the Houston Cougars, the top-ranked team in the region, to power Duke’s 54-51 upset.

Filipowski scored at least 20 points in 11 of his 36 games last season, including a season-high 30 points against Georgia Tech back in January.

Click here to see Duke Wire’s five ideal NBA destinations for Filipowski.

Rob Dillingham is among the second group of players invited to the draft green room

Dillingham conducted his required combine testing on Friday, clearing the way for him to become eligible to be selected in the draft.

Former Kentucky guard Rob Dillingham reportedly conducted his required combine testing, clearing the way for him to become eligible to be selected in the 2024 NBA draft.

Dillingham wasn’t able to participate in on-court testing last month at the combine because of an ankle injury. He was cleared this week from the injury and completed the requirements in front of teams on Friday at the Los Angeles Lakers‘ practice facility.

The 19-year-old was among the second group of prospects who received invitations from the NBA to attend the draft in the green room on June 26-27 at the Barlcays Center in Brooklyn, New York, according to Jonathan Givony of ESPN.

Teams with first-round picks each year vote on the players they believe will be drafted early, typically the top 20-25 prospects. Last year, 25 prospects were invited to the green room and only one wasn’t selected in the first round (Rayan Rupert, 43rd overall pick).

Included in the second batch of invitations were Serbian guard Nikola Topić, Duke players Jared McCain and Kyle Filipowski, Miami forward Kyshawn George, USC guard Isaiah Collier, Baylor center Yves Missi and Kansas forward Johnny Furphy.

The first group of players invited to the green room included French players Zaccharie Risacher, Alex Sarr and Tidjane Salaün; UConn players Donovan Clingan and Stephon Castle; G League Ignite players Matas Buzelis and Ron Holland; and Kentucky guard Reed Sheppard.

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An updated look at Jared McCain and Kyle Filipowski on ESPN’s Best Available NBA draft tracker

ESPN’s Best Available tracker for the 2024 NBA draft is live, and the two Blue Devils on the board are near the top 20 with two weeks to go.

The ESPN player rankings for the 2024 NBA draft are here, and former Blue Devils [autotag]Jared McCain[/autotag] and [autotag]Kyle Filipowski[/autotag] remain firm first-round talents.

McCain ranks as the site’s 15th-ranked player in the class while Filipowski is 21st.

McCain has drawn comparisons to the Curry brothers, four-time NBA champion Steph and Duke alum Seth, for his 41% 3-point shooting. He set social media aflame with his combine performance, showcasing the repeatability and consistency of his shooting form.

Filipowski, a 7-foot All-American, provides a unique combination of 8.3 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game. A 34.8% 3-point shooter as a sophomore, the two-year starter is the eighth-ranked power forward in the class.

Check out Duke Wire’s five ideal destinations for McCain here and the five best fits for Filipowski here.

SB Nation assigns Jared McCain and Kyle Filipowski to ‘perfect’ fits in new mock draft

See which squads took Jared McCain and Kyle Filipowski in the new SB Nation mock draft, detailing the ‘perfect’ prospects for each team, here.

SB Nation released a new mock draft on Monday with writer Ricky O’Donnell taking a slightly different approach. Instead of detailing which picks he thinks each NBA team will make, O’Donnell said he went for which player he would take in each position.

The Duke basketball team has two players in the draft pool this year, and both went in the top 21 selections of O’Donnell’s ideal draft.

[autotag]Jared McCain[/autotag] went 18th overall to the Orlando Magic. The No. 5 seed in last year’s Eastern Conference playoffs is led by another former Duke basketball player in [autotag]Paolo Banchero[/autotag], and McCain’s 41% 3-point shooting clip can help space the floor.

“While he’s not a natural shot creator off the dribble, he could play well off Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner and provide them with floor spacing,” O’Donnell wrote.

[autotag]Kyle Filipowski[/autotag] went three picks later to the New Orleans Pelicans led by former Duke basketball players [autotag]Brandon Ingram[/autotag] and [autotag]Zion Williamson[/autotag].

O’Donnell even said Filipowski might go higher than 21st due to his combination of height (7 feet tall) and ball-handling (2.8 assists per game last season).

“Duke’s sophomore center is one of the most skilled big men in the class: a great decision-maker as a passer, a capable three-point shooter, and a tough interior scorer,” the SB Nation writer said.

The NBA draft kicks off on Wednesday, June 26.