Duke University’s basketball program is set to lose two of its standout stars as Jared McCain and Kyle Filipowski announced their intentions to enter the 2024 NBA Draft this Friday. The decision from both players didn’t come as a shock, given their prominence and projections in recent mock drafts by Yahoo Sports.
Filipowski is poised to be the higher selection of the two, with Krysten Peek projecting him to potentially go to the Sacramento Kings as the 14th overall pick. Standing at 7 feet tall, Filipowski possesses the ability to extend the floor, despite his 35% shooting accuracy from beyond the arc. Notably, he led Duke in scoring with an average of 16 points per game and boasted a commendable 56% shooting rate from inside the three-point line.
Having started every one of Duke’s 72 games over the past two seasons, Filipowski played an indispensable role for the Blue Devils since his arrival on campus. He consistently topped the team’s rebounding charts and notably enhanced his shooting prowess during the 2023-24 season. Filipowski’s remarkable return to the court just four days after a potentially serious knee injury during a game against Wake Forest underscored his dedication and resilience.
On the other hand, McCain, who is projected as the 22nd pick in the latest mock draft, entered Duke as the 12th-ranked recruit in the high school class of 2023. As a freshman, he showcased his scoring ability by averaging 14 points and five rebounds per game while shooting an impressive 41% from beyond the arc on high shot volumes. McCain emerged as Duke’s primary scorer in critical games, including their second-round victory over James Madison and their Elite Eight defeat against NC State, where he scored 30 and 32 points respectively, draining 8 of 11 three-point attempts in the former.
With both Filipowski and McCain transitioning to the NBA, Duke’s future seems secure with its incoming talent. The Blue Devils boast the nation’s top recruiting class for 2024, featuring four five-star freshmen. Notable additions include high school player of the year Cooper Flagg, five-star center Khaman Maluach, Isaiah Evans, and Kon Knueppel. These freshmen are expected to fill the void left by the departing stars, along with other departures such as senior Jeremy Roach and the transfer of sophomore forward Mark Mitchell.