Duke Basketball Star Left in Uncomfortable Position at Draft

Perhaps Duke basketball’s Kyle Filipowski will end up alongside two NBA Blue Devils in Toronto.

Duke basketball forward Kyle Filipowski and head coach Jon Scheyer

On Wednesday night, only two of the roughly two dozen players who were invited to the NBA Draft green room did not hear their names. One is Kansas one-and-done wing Johnny Furphy. The other is a decorated Duke basketball product in two-time All-ACC performer and one-time All-American forward Kyle Filipowski, the first recruit to ever announce a commitment to Jon Scheyer as head coach.

Understandably, the 7-footer didn’t look like a happy camper afterward, evident in the following clip:

Odds are the 20-year-old Filipowski, who might’ve been a first-rounder last year had he opted not to return to Durham for a sophomore season under Scheyer following his eye-catching ACC Rookie of the Year campaign, will get drafted early in the second round. It gets under way at 4 p.m. ET (ESPN).

According to ESPN draft expert Jonathan Givony, Johnny Furphy is the No. 1 prospect still available, and Kyle Filipowski is sitting next on the list.

Best prospects available in the second round, with the Toronto Raptors on the clock at No. 31. Some surprising names that fell, with some good talent available deep into the second round.

The first selection in the second round belongs to the Toronto Raptors, who currently boast two NBA Blue Devils in veteran guards Gary Trent Jr. and RJ Barrett. Rounding out the first five franchises to pick on Thursday afternoon are the Utah Jazz, Milwaukee Bucks, Portland Trail Blazers, and San Antonio Spurs.

Filipowski’s former Duke basketball co-star, one-and-done guard Jared McCain, came off the board to the Philadelphia 76ers at No. 16 overall.

Top Illinois Basketball Commit Decides To Reopen Recruiting Process

There was so much good news surrounding the Illinois basketball program the past few weeks.

Jeremiah Fears drives to the basket

Former Illini player Terrence Shannon was found not guilty on rape charges in early June. They signed highly-touted Will Riley. Later, Shannon was drafted in the first round by the Minnesota Timberwolves.

And then Monday’s news came.

Guard Jeremiah Fears, a top recruit in the 2025 class, announced he was decommitting from the Illini He plans to reopen the recruiting process. He thanked coach Brad Underwood and staff for their time.

Here’s what he posted on his Instagram.

“First and foremost, I would like to thank the Illini nation for all the love and support they have given me and my family during my recruitment and after my commitment. I’d like to express my appreciation to Coach Underwood and his staff for their open communication and trust in me as a prospective next great guard to perform at State Farm Center. Please trust my full intention was to enter Champaign in the class of 2025 and help contribute to the continued ascension in the BIG10. With that being said, after further consideration and meaningful conversations with my family, I’ll be reopening my recruitment and exploring other opportunities.”

Fears, who will be a senior at AZ Compass was a major reason for the team’s 20-5 record this season. The 6-foot-3 guard averaged 14.2 points and 2.5 steals in 13 games.

Where UNC Basketball Talent Might Land in Second Round of Draft

UNC basketball’s Harrison Ingram and Harrison Barnes could become teammates if Ingram’s position among the best available proves prophetic.

UNC basketball players Harrison Ingram and Cormac Ryan

Former UNC basketball forward Harrison Ingram did not hear his name in the first round of the NBA Draft on Wednesday night. That wasn’t much of a surprise, though, as only a few mock drafts over the past two months labeled the 21-year-old early entrant as a potential first-rounder.

But Ingram, an All-ACC Third Team selection as a junior and full-time starter for the Tar Heels following his transfer from Stanford, is likely to come off the board at some point in the second round on Thursday afternoon.

Entering Day 2, the 6-foot-7, 225-pound Dallas native sits at No. 15 among the best available prospects, per ESPN’s rankings.

Best prospects available in the second round, with the Toronto Raptors on the clock at No. 31. Some surprising names that fell, with some good talent available deep into the second round.

While ESPN’s big board isn’t a predictor of what teams will do with their picks, it’s worth noting that the No. 15 selection in the second round belongs to the Sacramento Kings. Of course, they already boast one NBA Tar Heel named Harrison, although that veteran forward, the 32-year-old Barnes, appears to be a popular name in trade chatter.

Harrison Ingram looks to become the first Tar Heel to get drafted since Day’Ron Sharpe in 2021 (not counting Walker Kessler in 2022, as he transferred from UNC and spent a year at Auburn before turning pro).

Neither UNC basketball products Cormac Ryan nor Armando Bacot is among the 70 best available in ESPN’s judgment. However, each attended a few team-specific workouts in recent weeks.

The second round of the 2024 NBA Draft, consisting of only 28 selections due to a couple of forfeited picks, takes place at ESPN’s Seaport District Studios in Manhattan. It begins at 4 p.m. ET Thursday (ESPN) with the Toronto Raptors on the clock first at No. 31 overall.