Duke basketball: Kyle Filipowski wins first award since Zion Williamson

Duke basketball forward Kyle Filipowski joined Zion Williamson on an exclusive list. 

Freshman inside the Duke basketball programs have turned in very special seasons in the last decade the Kyle Filipowski has officially joined the club.

Filipowski was named as the recipient of the Kyle Macy Freshman of the Year Award on Thursday morning, an award presented annually to the top Division I freshman by CollegeInsider.com.

The Westtown, New York native was named as the ACC Rookie of the Year and earned a spot on the All-ACC Second Team while also being tabbed as the Most Valuable Player of the ACC Tournament after leading the Blue Devils to the title in Greensboro.

Kyle Filipowski averaged 15.1 points, 8.9 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 1.3 steals per game this season while shooting 44.1-percent from the floor.

“It’s an incredible honor and it’s so well deserved,” head coach Jon Scheyer said of his superstar rookie.

“More than the numbers and the statistics, what he’s done from a competitive standpoint – diving on the floor for loose balls, making big-time game-winning plays, whether it be a rebound, free throws — coming up in the clutch has been something that he has done so well.”

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Filipowski becomes the fifth player in Duke history to win the award since it was created 2012, joining Jabari Parker, Brandon Ingram, Marvin Bagley III, and Zion Williamson.

No other program in the country has won the award more than twice.

Duke basketball forward with major decision looming

Kyle Filipowski has a major decision looming on his future; stay at Duke for his sophomore season or head to the professional ranks after an incredible year.

Duke has already seen guard Tyrese Proctor and forward Mark Mitchell announce their decisions to return to the Blue Devils for another season while wing Dariq Whitehead has declared for the 2023 NBA Draft.

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“Kyle Filipowski continued to grow as player throughout the season and as he got better, Duke got better,” Angela Lento, Vice President of CollegeInsider.com said.

Jon Scheyer will also bring in the No. 2 recruiting class in the country, according to 247Sports.

Duke still awaits the future plans of Jeremy Roach and Dereck Lively along with Filipowski as each should be announcing their decision within the next week.