Duke basketball: Kyle Filipowski makes decision on NBA Draft

Duke basketball forward Kyle Filipowski has made his 2023 NBA Draft decision. 

The most anticipated NBA Draft decision is finally in from the Duke basketball roster.

Dariq Whitehead and Dereck Lively have declared for the professional ranks.

Tyrese Proctor and Mark Mitchell are returning to the Blue Devils for their sophomore seasons.

Jeremy Roach declared for the draft, but is maintaining his college eligibility.

The stage was left for Kyle Filipowski and he announced that he will be spending at least one more season in Durham.

“Being at Duke this past year has been such a blessing,” Filipowski said in his social media video.

“This team, this place, the Crazies…it’s been incredible.”

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 as he was named as the ACC Freshman of the Year.

The 7-foot standout was also named as the Most Valuable Player of the ACC Tournament as well as the Kyle Macy Freshman of the Year, the first Duke player to win the award since Zion Williamson.

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“I know you’re wondering what comes next,” Filipowski said.

The star Duke freshman was expected to be a first round pick, according to several mock drafts, but the majority had the Wilbraham & Monson standout being selected anywhere from pick No. 15 or later.

Duke basketball stud explains his decision to stay

“When I committed here, I said I wanted to help continue the Duke legacy,” Kyle Filipowski continued.

“I said I wanted to help Coach [Jon] Scheyer build the foundation.”

Filipowski was a leader in Duke winning the ACC Tournament in Scheyer’s first season, something that has only been done three times in league history, and helped turnaround what looked like a season that was slipping away.

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“I said I wanted to leave a legacy of my own. I meant what I said,” he explained.

“Same dynasty, new legacy.”

Duke should be a consensus Top-5 team in next year’s preseason poll after returning three top players from a season ago, plus quality reserve center Ryan Young and a talent incoming group of freshmen prospects.

“I’m not done yet. See you next year,” Filipowski concluded.