Kyle Filipowski had an outstanding showing during the recent NBA Summer League in Las Vegas, earning the Summer League MVP award—the first player in Utah Jazz history to receive this honor. Despite the Jazz finishing the event with an 0-3 record, Filipowski demonstrated a wide range of offensive skills, signaling strong prospects for his second season. His performance has created considerable optimism for Kyle Filipowski Utah Jazz growth as the team looks ahead to the upcoming NBA campaign.
Filipowski’s Confidence and Versatility Shine Through in Summer League
For Filipowski, the summer league was less about highlighting one specific skill and more about proving his overall capability on the court. The young big man believes that the confidence and comfort he gains through such competitive play will be a crucial part of his development heading into training camp and his sophomore year. Filipowski emphasized how maintaining the right mindset is key to harnessing his efficiency and productivity during games.
I think just going into training camp and year two, just with the confidence and the comfortability,
Filipowski said,
Just starting off with that, keeping myself in the right headspace. That’ll definitely help take care of the efficiency part, the stats part, the productivity. I feel like if I’m in the right headspace, then all of those other things physically will follow.
—Kyle Filipowski, Utah Jazz Player
Dominance on Display Without Targeting a Single Aspect of the Game
Unlike players who often try to focus their summer league efforts on improving a particular element of their game, Filipowski adopted a broader approach. He aimed to showcase just how impactful a player he can be in various aspects of basketball. His efforts were rewarded with an MVP award and early release from participation after only three games, confirming his dominance in the competition.
I was not trying to show anything specific. I think I was just trying to show how good of a player I am, how dominant of a player I am. I didn’t think I’d be the MVP this summer, I didn’t even think about that for a second, but it was just kind of showing how dominant and unique of a player I am.
—Kyle Filipowski, Utah Jazz Player
Promising Statistics Point to a Potential Breakout Second Season
During his rookie campaign, Filipowski appeared in 72 games for the Utah Jazz, averaging 9.6 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 1.9 assists per contest. His shooting efficiency was notable, boasting a field goal percentage of 50.2% alongside a 35.2% clip from beyond the arc. Adding a Summer League MVP trophy to his resume strengthens the possibility that the 2025-26 season could serve as a breakout year for the rising big man.
Impact on Utah Jazz’s Future and Next Steps
Though the new NBA season is still months away, Filipowski’s performance in summer league games offers encouraging signs for the Utah Jazz’s development plans. The team’s decision to select him with the 32nd overall pick last year seems increasingly valuable given his quick progression. There is a strong chance that Filipowski will earn increased playing time as the Jazz aim to build on their rebuild efforts and enhance their roster depth moving forward.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Why didn’t Kyle Filipowski get picked?
A. Even with his strong college performance, Filipowski’s measurements at the scouting combine worried NBA scouts. He was said to be 7 feet tall at Duke, but measured 6 feet 10.75 inches without shoes. His wingspan was a bit shorter than his height, at 6 feet 10.5 inches.
Q. What happened with Kyle Filipowski?
A. Even though Filipowski was expected to be picked in the first round of the 2023 NBA draft, he decided to return for his second college year. In April 2023, he had surgery to fix malformed hip joints on both sides.
Q. What happened to Kyle Filipowski?
A. On February 24, 2024, Filipowski injured his knee when he collided with a Wake Forest fan. This happened after the fan joined others in rushing the court to celebrate the Demon Deacons’ victory over the Blue Devils.