Kyle Filipowski’s NBA Summer League Shows Promise for Year Two Breakout with Jazz
Kyle Filipowski, the former Duke standout, has been putting on an impressive display during the NBA Summer League.
Now entering his second year in the NBA, Filipowski’s journey has unfolded in unexpected ways. Despite being projected as a mid-first-round pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, the 6-foot-11 forward slipped to the second round, where the Utah Jazz picked him up.
His rookie year saw him in a key role for a rebuilding Jazz team, where he made a solid impact. Starting 27 games and averaging over 20 minutes per game, Filipowski shot 61.4% inside the arc and 35% from three. He also grabbed 6.1 rebounds per game and maintained a positive assist-to-turnover ratio. While his defense had some rough patches, his overall performance as a rookie went largely underappreciated.
Fast forward to this year’s Summer League, and Filipowski is making a statement. His performances have hinted at a potential breakout in his second season.
During the Salt Lake City Summer League, Filipowski had some inconsistent scoring, but he was a force on the boards, pulling down 34 rebounds over three games. His Las Vegas stint kicked off with a strong showing, scoring 32 points, with six rebounds and five assists, against the Charlotte Hornets. He followed that up with 21 points in 24 minutes against the Golden State Warriors and then had a dominant performance the next night, posting 35 points and 11 rebounds in a double-double against the San Antonio Spurs.
With the trade of John Collins this offseason, Filipowski now has even more opportunity to make an impact in Utah’s frontcourt for the 2025-26 season. This could be the year he takes a major step forward.
Given his strong Summer League performances, Filipowski should be considered one of the top candidates for a sophomore breakout in the upcoming season.
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