ESPN Draft expert hints that Kyle Filipowski's draft slide was because of his girlfriend: "He has an older girlfriend, she's like 25 or 26, and people are like, 'This is weird'"

More than Bronny James, the name that we failed to hear get called in the first round of the 2024 NBA Draft was Kyle Filipowski.

Filipowski was a consensus second-team All-American and a first-team All-ACC selection this past season. His draft over/under was listed at 23.5, and he was invited to the green room. But when the first round was over, Filipowski's name wasn't called.

During an interview on Zach Lowe's Podcast , ESPN Draft Expert Jonathan Givony was shocked at why the youngster's name didn't get called, and he tried to explain it.

“You know the workouts weren't great, people tell me," said Givony. "There were question marks about the interviews, they said he was nervous, and he didn't make shots at the pro day. You know 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 very early in the second round.”

Kyle's GF was the big question mark for teams

But before Givony could proceed, Lowe interrupted him to elaborate on the issue with Filipowski's girlfriend. He didn't seem to get why a girl would affect someone's draft stock.

“He has an older girlfriend, she's like 25 or 26 and people are like ‘Ah this is weird.' It's like, 'Give me a freaking break, guys,'" replied Givony. "I swear I've heard it 25 times this came up. It was one of the biggest factors that you hear and it's just weird, man."

It got weirder later when Filipowski's brother chimed in on the issue. In a Twitter conversation screenshot by RotoBaller writer Kev Mahserejian, Kyle's brother Daniel claims that his GF has subjected Kyle to Mormon 'grooming and brainwashing.' Daniel said he sent a DM to Givony, and if the Draft Expert replies, he will tell the full story. Givony has yet to comment on the matter.

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Jazz draft Filipowski 32nd overall

Filipowski was a five-star recruit and one of the top players of the class of 2022. He went to Duke and played two seasons for the Blue Devils, averaging 15.8 points, 8.6 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 1.2 steals, and 1.1 blocks per game.

He was named the ACC Rookie of the Year in 2023, won ACC Tournament MVP honors as a freshman, and was projected to be a first-round pick if he turned pro in 2023 but decided to return for his sophomore season. This past campaign, he was a consensus second-team All-American and an All-ACC first-team selection.

Kyle didn't have to wait too long on Day 2 as he was the second pick of the second round or 32nd overall. To add more intrigue to his intriguing draft story, Filipowski was drafted by the Utah Jazz. Utah is considered a majority-Mormon state.

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