In a surprising turn of events, former Duke basketball standout Kyle Filipowski and UNC’s Armando Bacot are poised to become teammates in the NBA. Following Filipowski’s failure to be selected in the first round of the NBA Draft, he was ultimately chosen as the second pick of the second round by the Utah Jazz. Despite initially leaving the Barclays Center feeling disheartened, Filipowski found comfort in securing a place with the Jazz. It is anticipated that he will have significant playing time with the team, particularly during the upcoming NBA Summer League.
Accompanying Filipowski in the Utah Summer League is Armando Bacot, who also went undrafted but secured a place on the summer league roster by signing an Exhibit 10 contract with the Jazz. The transition from being fierce rivals in college basketball to teammates in the NBA has attracted attention due to their noteworthy on-court clashes throughout their college careers. A particularly notable moment was when Bacot executed a 3-point play against Filipowski during a game this season, prompting celebrations from the UNC bench as they emerged victorious.
Beyond being undrafted, there is a prospect that both Filipowski and Bacot could potentially become teammates not only in the Summer League but also in the NBA. This unexpected turn of events has set the stage for an intriguing matchup between the two players, with the potential to bring their rivalry onto the professional basketball stage.
The Utah Jazz are set to begin their Summer League campaign on July 8th (9:00p.m. ET) in the Salt Lake City Summer League, followed by their participation in the Las Vegas Summer League the following week. The possibility of Filipowski and Bacot teaming up in the NBA has added an additional level of excitement to the forthcoming Summer League games.
Overall, the unforeseen developments in the NBA Draft have paved the way for an exhilarating journey for both Kyle Filipowski and Armando Bacot as they transition from collegiate foes to potential teammates in the NBA. As the NBA Summer League approaches, all eyes will be on the Jazz as Filipowski and Bacot prepare to showcase their skills and potentially solidify their positions in the NBA.