DURHAM, N.C. – Duke men’s basketball sophomore Kyle Filipowski has been named to the 2024 Jersey Mike’s Naismith Trophy Midseason Team, highlighting the top 30 player of the year candidates.
A Preseason All-American and ACC Preseason Player of the Year, Filipowski has continued to be a top player nationally, improving from his standout rookie year 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 49.8% from the field, just below 35% from behind the arc, and is averaging 17.4 points, 8.3 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.8 blocks per game. Having already scored more than 400 points this season, he is just 40 points shy of becoming the 69th Blue Devil to tally 1,000 career points.
Following 16 double-doubles as a freshman, Filipowski has already added eight to his career total this season, most recently turning in a 21-point, 11-rebound performance against Wake Forest on Feb. 12 in his 60th career game. He has scored at least 10 points in all but four contests this season, has reached the 20-point threshold nine 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 in mid-January 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.
The Naismith Trophy is presented annually to the player of the year in men’s college basketball. Ten national semifinalists will be announced in early March.
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