Cooper Flagg vs Kyle Filipowski Duke comparison: Height, C, and more
Duke standouts of the past and future are a fascinating point of comparison. Blue Devil Kyle Filipowski was the second pick in the second round of the 2024 NBA Draft by the Utah Jazz. Flagg is an incomping freshman who is expected to go much higher in the 2025 NBA Draft. But let's break down these Duke standouts in a tale of the tape.
Cooper Flagg vs Kyle Filipowski Duke comparison
Height
Filipowski was listed as a 7-footer while playing at Duke, but it appears that was an overstatement. Filipowski was measured in the NBA combine at 6-foot-10.75 inches without shoes. Granted, shoes would presumably split the difference between Filipowski's listed height and actual height, but the discrepancy may have hurt Filipowski in the NBA Draft.
Flagg, on the other hand, is generally listed at 6-foot-9. While there's no guarantee that height isn't slightly inflated, it's worth noting that Flagg's reported heights have been pretty consistent over recent years, with him often listed as an inch shorter a couple years ago.
Wingspan
Filipowski's wingspan was also relatively underwhelming at 6-foot-10.5 inches in the NBA Draft combine. The lack of wingspan might have been even more significant than his size, as most NBA centers will have longer wingspans.
Flagg's wingspan has not been formally measured, but most estimates have indicated that has wingspan is likely over 7-feet. While that's impressive anyway, it's moreso in light of the fact that Flagg likely projects to the next level as a small forward or power forward rather than a center.
Recruiting ranking
Filipowski was ranked by 247sports as the No. 4 recruit in the 2022 class when he graduated from Wilbraham & Monson Academy in Wilbraham, Massachusetts. The only players ranked above him were Arkansas signee Nick Smith and fellow Duke recruits Dereck Lively and Dariq Whitehead. Filipowski was from New York.
Flagg was 247sports's No. 1 player in the entire 2024 class. Flagg graduated from Montverde Academy in Montverde, Florida. Flagg originally hails from Maine.
Senior seasons of high school
Filipowski averaged 19.1 points and 10.8 rebounds per game as a high school senior. He was honored as an All-American by Gatorade, and also played baseball and water polo in his prep days.
Flagg led Montverde Academy to a 33-0 mark and a claimed national title. Despite his impressive resume, Flagg's high school stats were fairly normal: 16.5 points and 7.5 rebounds per game. His most eye-catching total was 2.7 blocked shots per game.
Likely NBA Draft status
Filipowski was consistently projected as a mid-first round pick candidate leading up to the 2024 Draft. For that matter, he was a likely first round pick in 2023, but he chose to return to Duke for another season. That said, he slid to the second pick of the second round in the Draft.
Flagg is widely projected to be either the first or second pick in the 2025 Draft, most often the top pick. He and Rutgers recruit Ace Bailey are often listed as the two biggest impact players in that Draft class.
How do you compare Duke stars Filipowski and Flagg? Will the former surprise in the NBA and the latter shine in college Weigh in with your thoughts in our comments section!