“He’s the only guy I couldn't stop”: Duke star Kyle Filipowski reveals who was the hardest player he had to guard in college

As he prepares for the 2024 NBA draft, Kyle Filipowski answered a few fans' questions for Overtime. While most were about his future in the NBA, one fan asked who was the hardest player for Filipowski to guard during his two-year period playing with the Duke Blue Devils. He said:

"Hardest player I had to guard is DJ Burns. Shout out DJ. He's a heck of a player. He's the only guy I couldn't stop. I'm sure there's plenty of others, but man's got some game."

In the 2023-24 season, Duke played against DJ Burns and the NC State Wolfpack thrice: once in the regular season, which Duke won, and twice in the postseason. Their first came in the ACC Tournament which NC State won and the Elite Eight round in March Madness which the Wolfpack won once again.

Kyle Filipowski is a projected No. 21 pick in the 2024 draft. In his sophomore year in college, the forward averaged 16.4 points, 8.3 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.5 blocks, and 1.1 steals.

Kyle Filipowski shares his ideal role in the NBA

During an interview with USA TODAY Sports and For The Win, Kyle Filipowski shared his goals for his transition to the NBA. Before admitting that winning Rookie of the Year is his dream, Filipowski talked about his ideal role in the league.

"I think what I love to do is just space the floor," he said. "I think that opens up a lot for myself and for my teammates. Starting on the perimeter, that gives me the ability to drive the ball and kick it out to the shooters or even pass it off to the five man like a Dereck Likely.

"Doing that at my size and also being able to space the floor and let the five man go to work inside or let the guards attack and facilitate, and they don’t have to worry about an extra defender because my defender will stay on me because of my 3-point ability as well. That’s the kind of stuff I’m looking forward to."

Kyle Filipowksi has worked out with the Orlando Magic and Portland Trail Blazers in the pre-draft process. He has a wide draft range, going as high as a lottery pick to as low as the late first-round pick.

What are your predictions for Kyle Filipowksi and his rookie season in the NBA? Let us know in the comment section below.