Duke basketball’s Kyle Filipowski, not just an offensive star, has six steals and eight blocks across the past three games.
In the 16th-ranked Blue Devils’ 106-69 victory over unranked Queens on Saturday, sophomore Kyle Filipowski of Duke basketball—the reigning ACC Rookie of the Year and the team’s top scorer (18.0 points per game) and rebounder (8.8) for the second straight season—scored 19 points and pulled down four rebounds.
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With a predicted first-round draft pick in 2024, the 7-foot forward shot 8 for 10 from the field, 1 for 2 from three, and 2 for 3 at the line.
However, Jon Scheyer, the head coach of Duke basketball in his second year, was particularly pleased with Filipowski’s defensive effort. Finishing with two steals and five blocks, Filipowski was the first player to ever publicly declare his commitment to Scheyer as a head coach during the recruiting process.
Of course, it would be ideal to have Dereck Lively II, who is currently leading the Dallas Mavericks and serving as a defensive force, to help Filipowski avoid foul trouble by taking part of the pressure off his shoulders.
However, take note that Filipowski is now a stand-alone defensive stopper. In terms of steals (1.4) and blocks (2.0), he tops the team. He’s recorded at least three of one or the other in three consecutive games, so those averages seem to be rising.
As a result, Scheyer made the following statements to the media on Saturday afternoon:
“In the past few weeks in particular, I believe he’s improved significantly on defense.
“People attempt to tackle him because it’s a big play if you can foul him. His play has been crucial for us, even though it’s obvious that many teams play pick-and-roll anyhow and that he’s typically the guy setting it.
“His adaptability. He’s been keeping an eye on a lot of guards, leading by example, and guarding our basket.
“For a little moment, I believed that even though he only had four rebounds, he was surrounded by two or three players and was trying to find a way to hit the shot or get the ball.
“So, he’s done a great job and really become one of the best two-way players in the country.”