Kyle Filipowski made his debut for the Utah Jazz in a 122-113 preseason win against the Houston Rockets, entering the game with 10:07 remaining. The former Duke standout, a player who had earned numerous accolades in college, including prep player of the year and NCAA All-American honors, found himself adjusting to a new role: coming off the bench.
This was a significant change for Filipowski, who had been a top performer on every team he played for, and Jazz coach Will Hardy pointed out that it’s likely the rookie had never experienced being in this position before.
In his brief stint on the floor, Filipowski made a strong impression. He scored 9 points, grabbed 5 rebounds, and shot 75% from 3-point range (3-of-4). Though he had limited minutes, his performance reflected the skill and talent that made him a highly touted player coming out of college.
Despite the strong showing, Filipowski admitted that adjusting to a bench role had been challenging, especially after playing over 30 minutes per game in college. He acknowledged that it was a difficult transition mentally and physically, but he was working through it.
To help manage this adjustment, Filipowski has tried to keep his expectations in check. By not putting too much pressure on himself when entering the game, he allows the game to flow more naturally. Coach Hardy observed that sitting for most of a game and then being thrown into the action can be a significant mental shift, especially for a player as competitive as Filipowski. Hardy also acknowledged that the excitement and adrenaline of finally playing could work both for and against him in those moments.
Despite the challenges, Filipowski has a lot to be excited about in the future. Coach Hardy highlighted two key qualities that stand out: Filipowski’s basketball IQ and his playmaking ability. Filipowski has shown an exceptional ability to read the game, make smart decisions, and quickly understand complex strategies.
His passing skills have also caught the attention of both coaches and teammates, with Hardy pointing out that Filipowski often makes impressive plays during practice, and those moments don’t appear to be isolated incidents.
However, Filipowski’s playing time may remain limited due to the depth of talent on the Jazz roster. With players like Lauri Markkanen, Walker Kessler, John Collins, and Taylor Hendricks ahead of him in the frontcourt, Filipowski faces stiff competition for minutes.
Coach Hardy emphasized that for Filipowski to earn more time on the floor, he needs to improve his shooting consistency and defensive play. If he can fine-tune these aspects of his game, his potential as a versatile big man could make him a more prominent part of the Jazz’s rotation moving forward.
