Kyle Filipowski talks remaining Duke targets, Dereck Lively, goals, and more
Kyle Filipowski was the first to commit to Jon Scheyer for the 2022 class, and he’s been pushing to get others to join him ever since he came on board.
Since his pledge to Duke, three others have joined him, including Dariq Whitehead, Jaden Schutt and most recently Dereck Lively. He’s hoping two others, J.J. Starling and Mark Mitchell will soon join the group.
Filipowski, who has gained attention over the last year and half for his versatility and ability to play all over the court, spoke to Bull City Hoops about what he’s working on, Lively’s commitment, international play and much more.
On Dereck Lively’s commitment
“Yeah, that was a big one. Dereck was one of our main guys that we’ve been pushing to try to commit to Duke for a while now. Just from playing AAU against him and being on the visit together with him and just going up against him, I could see playing along side him just how incredible we could be as a front court in the country.”
On complementing each other on the floor
“A lot of people, just because I’m 6-foot-11, 7-feet, a lot of people just think I’m that normal big that plays back to the basket and I mean that’s not me at all, and that’s not even Dereck either. I just think the way we are both very versatile that can stretch the court out a lot, that’s going to be huge for us to play together on the court side-by-side. How I view it, it’s kind of like a Marvin Bagley/Wendell Carter duo like how they were able to be on the court at the same time. That’s kind of something I think will be surprising to a lot of fans once they see us playing together because they don’t really know what to expect out of us.”
On Caleb Foster
“I’ve been talking to Caleb very often for the past couple months actually too. I’ve gotten to know him during that span of time, too. We’ve been getting closer, too, so it’s great to know the 2023 class, my sophomore year, is getting strong right now, too. That’s big time.”
On why Scheyer has been so successful as a recruiter
“I think with what Duke has become with Coach K in the last 40 years - obviously with what Duke represents is very special and it’s a huge honor to be a part of. But I think Coach K has definitely gotten Coach Scheyer prepared for this moment. And just with my conversations with him when he was recruiting me, I could just totally feel his passion and love for basketball. His vision - I know that he wants to win. He’s going to win. I don’t think there’s anyone more capable and ready to take on this position.”
On winning the gold medal in 3-on-3 for the USA
“That was an incredible experience. I didn’t really get to see much of Hungary, unfortunately, because I was put in a bubble there and it was just going back and forth from the hotel to games. But it was just a great honor to represent my country, play for a gold medal. Just going there, those were our standards. Having that name across our chest, U.S.A., those were our standards - going for gold. And we achieved that. I was very grateful for being given the opportunity to live up to those standards.
“It is a very different game, 3-on-3, than 5-on-5 for sure. I feel like with my versatility, I was the perfect guy for the job. Being able to take advantage of the mismatch situations, not really have to worry about help defense much. Things like that.”
“I’ve been itching to get to Duke and get next year started, but at the same time trying to focus on what goals I can still accomplish this year and those are important.”
On what he took away from playing in an international setting
“Without a doubt the intensity of the international teams. The grit they all have. International basketball is no joke, really. It was very physical. The teams that had size were very physical. So it was just a really cool experience to play against different styles of play.”
On defining skill-sets or go-to moves
“That’s the thing, what I’m trying to focus on with my game is I can rely on any of my moves to be go-to moves depending on the situation, where I am on the court, the time and things like that. So whether it’s getting a bucket posting up inside or taking it to the rack from the perimeter or getting that three, I think just like really any part of my game I’m starting to develop at that high level where I can rely on that to be a go-to for me.”
On what a dream class looks like
“We’ve gotten so far, including myself, four of the total six pieces that we’re trying to put together and I think that’s just something that’s incredible - we’ve already gotten four guys in this quick of time. We’re just focusing on J.J. and Mark as our last two, because really with those two we’re going to be very in-depth with skill all around the court. So we’re not really focusing on any other guys. We’re just showing the love to them and that we want them here too to be part of something special.”
On what the pitch is to the remaining targets
“To just tell them that the opportunity is here. Just the chance to be a part of something great. Just make history at Duke. Be something different at Duke. And like I said, just getting the chance to make your name known into something very historical and how special it is to wear Duke across your chest and have that honor to be part of The Brotherhood.”
On whether his brother could join him at Duke
“No, I don’t think so. I think those rumors can be put to rest. I definitely think my brother is that high level of competition as well, but just after discussing about things and to see where he’s at with his recruitment process, we think it would be better off for him to do his own thing and not have that pressure of tagging along or anything like that. That wouldn’t really be fair in a sense to either of us.”
On his goals between now and his arrival at Duke
“I’ve been itching to get to Duke and get next year started, but at the same time trying to focus on what goals I can still accomplish this year and those are important. Those goals include still doing well in the classroom, of course, but basketball-wise, focusing on my body and trying to get my body to the best quality it can be going into Duke. That way I don’t really have that hard of a time transitioning in that sense. And then also developing my game so that all of my moves are at the fullest potential they can be at before I get to Duke so I don’t have any weaknesses in my game and just things like that. And, of course, I’m trying to be a McDonald’s All-American.”
Great interview Brian! I’m excited about this kid and appreciated his honesty, especially about his brother.