Duke Basketball Sensation Summarizes Current Pondering With One Word

Last year, Duke basketball forward Kyle Filipowski relentlessly teased fans about his future before ultimately deciding to return to Durham for a sophomore campaign. This go-round, there's far less uncertainty, at least in the minds of Blue Devil faithful, as to what the widely projected lottery pick will do next.

Yes, Filipowski appears likely to declare early for the 2024 NBA Draft at some point before the April 26 deadline. And one could view the 7-footer's latest Instagram post as a sign he's gearing up to announce precisely that.

On Thursday afternoon, mirroring the post from a Blue Devil co-star in freshman sharpshooter Jared McCain earlier this week, Filipowski captioned a brief highlight package from his time at Duke with one word in all caps: "GRATITUDE."

Kyle Filipowski new post on Instagram:

“GRATITUDE” pic.twitter.com/a3tIWQFKEZ
— Blue Devils (@BlueDevils) April 11, 2024

Thus far, the Blue Devils have lost two scholarship talents with eligibility remaining to the transfer portal: sophomore big man Christian Reeves and sophomore forward Mark Mitchell. And on Thursday evening, sophomore guard Tyrese Proctor became the first to officially announce plans for a return next season, first reported by national college hoops insider Adam Zagoria.

Eight others, including McCain and Filipowski, have yet to reveal whether they'll seek opportunities elsewhere or join third-year head coach Jon Scheyer's six-deep, top-ranked recruiting haul on what could be a preseason top-five squad.

With a scholarship limit of 13, logic says at least two of those eight must leave.

Kyle Filipowski, a two-time All-ACC performer and consensus All-American this past season, now stands alongside mid-1990s Duke basketball great Johnny Dawkins as the only two players to lead the Blue Devils in scoring as both a freshman and sophomore.

Stay tuned to Blue Devil Country on SI for more Duke basketball news.