Kyle Filipowski, a four-star recruit, has committed to the Duke Blue Devils, becoming the first player to commit to future head coach Jon Scheyer.
Filipowski, a center, announced the news on Thursday, posting a picture of himself in a Duke uniform.
"The continuation of a dynasty, but the beginning of a new journey," Filipowski said in the picture's caption.
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Filipowski, who plays at Wilbraham & Monson Academy in Massachusetts, had also considered Kentucky, Syracuse, Indiana, Iowa and Maryland before picking Duke.
Scheyer, who is currently a Duke assistant coach, will take over for Mike Krzyzewski, who will retire at the end of the 2021-22 season.
(Photo: Michelle Farsi / NBAE / Getty Images)
How important is landing Filipowski for Scheyer?
Brendan Marks, Duke beat writer: It was always going to be significant when Scheyer landed his first recruit of the post-Coach K era, but for it to be someone as talented as Filipowski? It's huge.
Recruiting is the lifeblood of college basketball's best programs, and one fear with Krzyzewski stepping away was that Duke wouldn't be able to maintain its current recruiting rate. What this shows is, yes, it absolutely can.
Scheyer isn't offering every kid in the Top-10, but instead, is carefully picking and choosing players who complement one another and fit the program's culture. Filipowski certainly does, and just so happens to be rising up recruiting rankings.
What does Filipowski bring to Duke?
Marks: Filipowski, at 6-11 and 230 pounds, is the sort of mismatch big man every team craves. He has the size and frame to play with his back to the basket, but he also possesses unique touch for someone his size, and he's more than capable of facing up and scoring from the perimeter.
But Filipowski's passing might be his best skill today, and it's what will enable him to fit seamlessly with whoever else Duke adds to Scheyer's first recruiting class. Filipowski can also play both frontcourt spots, which is important with Duke liable to potentially lose three bigs from this year's roster.