Fresh off two double-doubles in the final two regular season games, Duke forward Kyle Filipowski has been named ACC Rookie of the Week in men’s basketball for the ninth time this season. For the week, Filipowski averaged 16.5 points and 13.5 rebounds while helping Duke secure rivalry wins over NC State and North Carolina and the No. 4-seed in the ACC Tournament.
Last Tuesday against NC State, Filipowski had 11 points and 14 rebounds in Duke’s 71-67 victory over the Wolfpack as the Blue Devils finish a perfect 16-0 at Cameron Indoor Stadium, their first undefeated regular season at home since the 2013-14 season. The freshman went 7-of-9 from the free throw line against the Pack to help him secure his 13th double-double.
In the regular season finale, Filipowski had a monster 22-point, 13-rebound effort against rival North Carolina at Smith Center. The 20-point game was his fourth this season and marked his team-leading 27th double-figure scoring effort in 31 games. The freshman played 35 minutes and went 7-of-17 from the field and 7-of-8 from the charity stripe, including 4-of-5 in the game’s closing minutes. The win over the Tar Heels secured the season sweep for the Blue Devils and helped Duke to a fourth-place finish in the ACC and a double-bye in the upcoming ACC Tournament.
Filipowski, the only freshman nationally — and one of just eight power conference players overall — averaging at least 15 points and nine rebounds, leads all Division I freshmen with his 14 double-doubles. The 14 double-doubles are tied for fourth-most all-time by a Duke freshman, matching the number posted by Zion Williamson, Jabari Parker and Gene Banks.
Filipowski’s honor marks Duke’s ACC-leading 156th all-time Rookie of the Week selection. Over the last 10 seasons (since the start of 2013-14), Duke has had an ACC Rookie of the Week in 84 of a possible 169 weeks (49.7%). Twenty-three different Blue Devils have won the award at least once in that time. The Blue Devils’ 156 all-time Rookie of the Week awards lead the ACC by 60.
With his ninth Rookie of the Week honors this season, Filipowski is tied with Austin Rivers for fourth-most in a season in league history. In ACC history, the four previous players to win nine or more Rookie of the Week awards went on to be named ACC Rookie of the Year.
