2022 Notre Dame Target Kyle Filipowski "Not Lacking Any Skill"
Mike Mannix understands Kyle Filipowski has plenty of room to improve, but after the year the 2022 forward had for Mannix at Wilbraham & Monson Academy in Massachusetts last season, the head coach understandably feels like he’s “nit-picking” a bit.
The 6-foot-9, 200-pounder averaged 20 points and nine rebounds a game while shooting over 60 percent from floor, including 35 percent from beyond the arc, and over 70 percent from the free throw line. Filipowski scored 31 points and was a perfect 15-for-15 from the line to earn NEPSAC Championship Game MVP honors in his squad’s title win over Worcester Academy.
“He’s not lacking in any skill, I can tell you that,” says Mannix. “What he’s going to have to do now, which is just going to come with experience and age, is understand teams are really going to go after him. He’s going to see double-teams. He’s going to have to focus in on decision-making because he might start to see defenses stunt at him quite a bit when he drives.”
Mannix notes the league is pretty advanced in terms of scouting and teams were often ready for Filipowski’s counter moves the second time around last season.
“He might have to have two counters to a move,” says Mannix. “What’s great about Kyle is he will do whatever it takes to dominate the opposition.”
Filipowski takes advantage of his versatility to keep defenses honest. If the opponent tries to put a 6-5 or 6-6 wing on him, Filipowski will simply take him into the post and go to work until he forces a substitution.
“He’s just going to put you at a disadvantage,” said Mannix.
“And when you make that substitution and go back with that 6-8, 6-9 power forward, now he’s going to take you outside and counter with something else.”
Defensively, Mannix likes Filipowski’s effort and expects him to continue improving.
“It’s going to be working on lateral quickness, making sure he can guard those guys who are true wings, just moving his feet, staying in front of them, keeping them outside of the lane and his length will really bother those guys,” the coach said.
“He’s not terrible on that, but he can just get a little bit better.”
Filipowski’s size, athleticism, effort, versatility and high basketball IQ make for an intriguing prospect.
“He makes some athletic plays,” his coach said. “He puts it on the floor, he gets out on the break and really, really can make plays. He gets off his feet really well. He’s got so many weapons.”
It’s that bundle that had Filipowski’s phone buzzing non-stop on June 15th, the first day college coaches could directly contact rising juniors. He picked up five offers that day and has added five more since.
His offer sheet currently includes UCLA, Louisville, Maryland, Purdue, Marquette, Georgetown, Iowa, Xavier, Creighton, UConn, Virginia Tech, Providence, Vanderbilt and Boston College.
Notre Dame hasn’t offered yet, but head coach Mike Brey reached out last month and Mannix told ISD why he thinks Filipowski would be a great fit with the Irish.
Like all recruits, Filipowski’s immediate future is unclear with the extension of the dead period, which was instituted in March and has been extended at least through the end of August.
But as a 2022 recruit with two years of high school left, Mannix has encouraged him to enjoy the process as much as possible.
“He doesn’t have to worry about visits right now,” said Mannix.
What Filipowski is concerned with right now is helping Wilbraham & Monson defend its title. He’ll be asked to step up even more after the school graduated four of its starting five from last season.
“Inherently, there’s responsibility and pressure that comes with that,” said Mannix.
As for the prep school’s outlook heading into fall amidst COVID-19 concerns , Mannix is confident with the plan that’s been laid out by the school’s administration.
“I feel so lucky to be here with the leadership we have here. From the top, there have been great decisions and a lot of great responsibility taken. It’s been awesome to watch and be a part of.”