Kyle Filipowski's stunning NBA Draft slide related to power dynamics with fiancee labeled 'nonsense' by expert

Duke alum Kyle Filipowski didn't hear his name called during the first round of the 2024 NBA Draft on Wednesday. The surprising turn of events left many fans, and Filipowski, confused as he waited in the NBA's green room. Prior to the draft, Kyle Filipowski was projected to go as a lottery pick, or as a late first-rounder at the worst.

As a result, the NBA invited him to sit in the green room, the area in front of the stage where prospects would shake hands with Adam Silver after fulfilling their lifelong dreams. Seated with Duke coach Jon Scheyer, his fiancee, and others, Filipowski watched as 30 NBA hopefuls were drafted.

Despite being the MVP of the ACC tournament his freshman year, and impressing in his sophomore year, Kyle Filipowski's name wasn't called. After the draft, footage emerged showing the seven-footer giving his fiancé a hug after a disappointing evening.

According to some fans, part of the reason Filipowski likely slid in the draft was because of the relationship and the seven-year age gap between them. During a recent episode of The Lowe Post, ESPN draft expert Jonathan Givony refuted claims that Filipowski slid in the draft because of the relationship.

"People tell me there were question marks about the interviews. They said he was nervous, he didn't make shots at the pro day, what's going on with his girlfriend, this is all nonsense. It's hard to find a seven-footer like Kyle Filipowski who is this skilled. Somebody needs to draft him early in the second round," Givony said.

Looking further at Kyle Filipowski's relationship

Kyle Filipowski has been with his now-fiancé for several years, with the couple even going to his high school prom together several years back. As many have been quick to point out, however, Filipowski's fiancé is currently 26, while he is just 19.

Given that, at the time the pair attended his high school prom, he was underage while she was of age and already in college. While there hasn't been any indication that there is something strange afoot in the relationship, the age gap is enough to raise red flags for some fans.

In addition, as we've seen with young players like LaMelo Ball and Jalen Green, it isn't uncommon to see young NBA players dating women older than them. The difference here is that Filipowski and his fiancé have been together since he was in high school.

On the flip side, Jalen Green and Draya Michele for example began dating in 2023, after Green was already in the NBA. This has led to media personalities such as Joe Budden labeling her a gold digger and a predator for pursuing a man so much younger.

Of course, in the case of Green and Michele, the couple recently made it clear that they don't care about the age gap. While Kyle Filipowski hasn't spoken about the age gap in his relationship, it appears that the couple is happy together based on Instagram photos.

Without any concrete evidence, it's hard to justify some fans crediting his slide to the relationship.