Duke Basketball Duo Invited to NBA Draft with Eyes on Top-20 Selections!
Jared McCain and Kyle Filipowski will be in New York City on NBA Draft night, as both received invitations to sit in the green room, according to ESPN’s Jonathan Givony. Initially, neither player received an invitation in the first batch of prospects.
Both players are projected to be first-round picks, but their exact draft positions remain uncertain. Yahoo! Sports’ latest mock draft predicts McCain will be picked 15th by the Miami Heat, while Filipowski is projected by Krysten Peak to potentially slip to the Boston Celtics at 30th overall.
Throughout the NBA Draft process, McCain and Filipowski have been considered Top-20 picks. Expert analysis suggests that this year’s draft class is relatively weak, leading franchises to prioritize prospects who fit their systems over sheer talent.
Kyle Filipowski had an impressive season, earning consensus Second Team All-American and First Team All-ACC honors, with averages of 16.4 points and 8.3 rebounds per game. He was also named the ACC’s Rookie of the Year following his freshman season.
Jared McCain emerged as one of the country’s top freshmen, known for his exceptional 3-point shooting, hitting 41.4% of his attempts. He averaged 14.3 points per game and earned a spot on the ACC All-Rookie Team.
According to ESPN’s latest projections, published on June 11, both Blue Devils are expected to be Top-20 picks.
The first round of the NBA Draft will take place at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn on Wednesday, June 26 (8:00 p.m. ET, ESPN/ABC). For the first time, the second round will be held at the ESPN studios in Manhattan on Thursday, June 27 (4:00 p.m. ET, ESPN).
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