As the 2025-26 NBA season approaches, ESPN curated a list highlighting the top sophomore players expected to make significant leaps in their second year. Notably absent from this group was anyone from the Utah Jazz, including Kyle Filipowski, who emerged as the reigning Summer League MVP. This omission is surprising given Filipowski’s promising performance in Las Vegas and his potential to impact the Jazz’s future success.

ESPN’s Prioritization of Other Second-Year Prospects

Jeremy Woo of ESPN placed ten players ahead of Filipowski on his list, with Houston Rockets’ Reed Sheppard, the third overall pick, leading the group. Woo even included Oklahoma City Thunder’s Nikola Topic, who is technically not a second-year player. Meanwhile, Utah Jazz rookies Kyle Filipowski and Isaiah Collier did not receive similar recognition despite their promising skill sets and contributions in their rookie season. Both remain key pieces for Utah’s rebuilding efforts in the upcoming year.

Kyle Filipowski’s Impactful Summer League Performance

Filipowski showcased his versatility and offensive strength over five Summer League games split between Las Vegas and Salt Lake City. He led all scorers with an average of 29.3 points per game and pulled down 7.7 rebounds nightly. His outstanding play earned him the distinction of being the first-ever Utah Jazz player to win the Summer League MVP award, highlighting his potential to be a breakout star in the season ahead.

Isaiah Collier’s Potential as a Developing Guard

While Isaiah Collier’s Summer League showed inconsistency, he demonstrated strong flashes of promise during last season, particularly in February. During that period, Collier averaged 11.5 points, 9.5 assists, and 3.9 rebounds per game, performance levels comparable to Western Conference Rookie of the Year candidates. His development signals a growing role in the Jazz’s guard rotation moving forward.

Looking Ahead: What This Means for the Jazz and Fans

Despite limited national media recognition so far, both Kyle Filipowski and Isaiah Collier are poised to be integral parts of Utah’s roster and could deliver significant improvements in their second year. Fans and analysts alike should monitor their progress, as their growth could be crucial to the Jazz’s success in the 2025-26 season and beyond.