Filipowski Named to Karl Malone and Wooden Award Watch Lists

DURHAM – Duke men’s basketball sophomore Kyle Filipowski has been named to the midseason top-10 list for the Karl Malone Power Forward of the Year Award and the late-season top-20 for the 2024 John R. Wooden Award, presented by Principal.

A Preseason All-American and ACC Preseason Player of the Year, Filipowski has continued to be a top player nationally, improving in nearly all statistical categories – including already surpassing his freshman block and assist totals. A native of Westtown, New York, the 7-footer is shooting more than 50% from the field and nearly 40% from behind the arc, averaging 17.5 points and 8.7 rebounds per game.

After 16 double-doubles as a freshman, Filipowski has already added seven to his career total this season, including a strong performance at Pittsburgh on Jan. 9 in which he finished with 26 points and 10 rebounds while making 11-of-12 field goals, including all four threes. The shooting performance marked the best by a Blue Devil with at least 10 attempts since Zion Williamson finished 13-of-13 against Syracuse on March 14, 2019.

Filipowski has scored at least 10 points in all but three games this season, has reached at least 20 points seven separate times and recorded a career-high 30 points alongside 13 rebounds against Georgia Tech in mid-January – the first Blue Devil to record a 30-point double-double since Vernon Carey Jr. tallied 31 and 12 versus California on Nov. 21, 2019. He added four assists, two blocks and two steals against the Yellow Jackets, all without committing a turnover, becoming the first Duke player with a 30-point double-double and no turnovers in the past 40 seasons.

Filipowski was named the Lute Olson National Player of the Week following his performances against Pittsburgh and Georgia Tech and was tabbed ACC Player of the Week on Dec. 18., after pouring in 28 points, grabbing 12 rebounds and adding eight assists against Hofstra – finishing two assists shy of the sixth all-time triple-double by a Blue Devil.

Named after Class of 2010 Hall of Famer and two-time NBA Most Valuable Player Karl Malone, the annual honor, in its 10th year, recognizes the top power forward in Division I men’s college basketball. Filipowski is aiming to become the second Blue Devil freshman in the last six years to win the Karl Malone Power Forward of the Year award, after…