Jared McCain, Kyle Filipowski, Tyler Kolek, Oso Ighodaro
Brian breaks down the top prospects from Duke University and Marquette University. This includes guard Jared McCain, big Kyle Filipowski, guard Tyler Kolek, and big Oso Ighodaro
Duke and Marquette were two of the most successful teams in college basketball this season. Marquette was in the running for the #1 seed before Tyler Kolek got hurt late in the season. Duke made it to the Elite 8 in the NCAA tournament. Both teams have a decent amount of prospects that deserve a level of interest. These prospects are all pretty interesting and people should be interested in what these guys can provide.
Jared McCain/Duke
Duke Athletics
Jared McCain had a slow start to the season, but really started getting going once Tyrese Proctor went down with an injury. When he came back, McCain continued to play well. He’s more well known on TikTok and is probably the most charismatic person in this draft.
Personal Opinion
McCain played very well in his role at Duke and it's good to know that he can play off the ball. I also think there’s some on ball ability that he wasn’t asked to do at Duke. The shooting is real, the rebounds are real. He’s a good shooter inside, and he’s a smart player. Given his size and scoring ability, I really wonder if there is some high level starter/borderline all-star ability with McCain. If not, I think his floor is relatively high as just a shooter that can rebound a little bit.
Fantasy
There’s a lot of solid things here as a fantasy player. The efficiency and 3’s are obviously good. The scoring is good. I think the assist numbers can increase if asked to. I don’t think he’ll ever be an above average passer in a 12 team league, but I believe that can improve. I think he has a chance to be a top 50 player at some point if it all comes together. I wouldn’t be betting on it, but there are a lot of outcomes where he’s probably around the top 100.
If Jared fails in the league, Why?
If the passing doesn’t come around and he’s really only an off ball shooter, then his size could make it difficult for him to play the 2. He could struggle defensively and if the only thing that he can do is shoot, it will be hard for him to get on the court.
A very big mix of players here, some have flamed out, some are all stars. Even the ones that flamed out, they at least shot it ok. McCain has a way bigger sample size from 3 than any of the players listed too, so I buy the shot. In this role, he has a legit chance as a rotation player, but there’s potential for a lot more, given his age and skill set.
Big Performance Highlights
February 17th vs. Florida State
35 Pts, 4 Reb, 1 Ast, 3 Stl, 5 To, 12-20 FG, 8-11 3PT, 3-4 FT
This was his best game of the season, against a pretty decent Florida State team. McCain was being aggressive and caught fire from deep. He even got 3 steals in this game as Duke won this game by 9 points.
March 31st vs. North Carolina State
32 Pts, 6 Reb, 1 Ast, 1 Stl, 1 Blk, 2 To, 8-20 FG, 5-11 3PT, 11-11 FT
McCain was able to attack in this game and get 11 free throws which is pretty huge. He was the only player that was able to do any huge damage in this Elite 8 game. Duke obviously lost this game by 12, which was a really bad upset for Duke, especially since they lost to North Carolina State in the ACC tournament, but he’s the only player on this Duke team that was really doing any damage.
Kyle Filipowski/Duke
Duke Athletics
Kyle Filipowski was a top high school recruit last season. He had an underwhelming season and decided to return to Duke, despite first round interest. This season, he’s had a much better season after having hip surgery. He’s been a lot better defensively and he’s been shooting it better this season.
Personal Opinion
I go back and forth on Filipowski but there’s something that I can’t really get around. He’s probably the best shooting big man in this class. He can pass and play at a high level, and he’s been one of the best players in college basketball this season. Even though he was inconsistent at times, you could see why he would work in the league. Ultimately, these shooting big men have a lot of value, and if Filipowski can really shoot it, he’s going to be in the league for a while. If the defense improves, then he could be very valuable to a team.
Fantasy
Filipowski has a very fantasy friendly game. The out of position stats with the passing and the shooting, make Filipowski a very intriguing bet in dynasty leagues, depending on builds. Not great rebounding, but he’ll have a solid usage at least. Kelly Olynyk had some top 40 runs when he was in Houston and a bit this season. Filipowski can have those types of runs. He’s not someone you want to be betting on at that level, but he could have some top 70-100 seasons depending on his role in his prime.
If Kyle fails in the league, Why?
He struggles defensively and he could get played off the court. The efficiency concerns could intensify which limits his usefulness, and at that point, what can he do besides score ok and pass? While that has value, coaches could want something else.
Not all of these guys are stars, but basically every single one of these guys, have gotten at least NBA interest. Filipowski is a better prospect than a lot of these guys, but you can see that Filipowski will at least be around for a while, because even some of the guys that flamed out, at least lasted a few years in the league, because stretch bigs are hard to come by.
Big Performance Highlights
30 Pts, 13 Reb, 4 Ast, 2 Stl, 2 Blk, 10-24 FG, 4-5 3PT, 6-11 FT
Filipowski played for 37 minutes in this one, and it was needed as Duke only won this game by 5. They were feeding Filipowski in this one and he put up his best line of the season. He wasn’t even super hot in this one, but dominated the paint in this one.
21 Pts, 7 Reb, 2 Ast, 3 Stl, 1 Blk, 2 To, 9-14 FG, 1-1 3PT, 2-2 FT
Duke blew out Virginia in this one by 25 points in this one, and Filipowski was one of the biggest reasons for it. He was dominating in the paint and taking advantage of the lack of size of Virginia.
Tyler Kolek/Marquette
Marquette Athletics
Tyler Kolek has been one of the best point guards in college basketball this season. He started out at George Mason, and then transferred to Marquette. He plays with attitude and is not afraid to trash talk. He’s not afraid of the moment, and has been the best player on one of the best teams in the country this season.
Personal Opinion
The idea of Tyler Kolek is very interesting. He’ll be a tough guy in the locker room, and be a really solid presence. In theory, he has a really solid floor as a playmaker and steady presence. Given his physical limitations, I wonder how he’s going to be able to make a hugely positive impact in the league, but given his mentality and attitude, you want to believe in it.
Fantasy
If he hits, his appeal will come from assists. He’s a very good playmaker and that will translate to the next level. Nothing else stands out from a statistical perspective for Kolek, but he won’t kill you in other areas. If he hits in the NBA, he might have a top 100 season, but it’s hard to see him more than a backup PG.
If Tyler fails in the league, Why?
His lack of athleticism and speed could make it difficult for him to be able to score in the league. Given his defensive limitations, his playmaking doesn’t make up for his deficiencies and he ends up riding the bench quite a bit till he makes it overseas.
As you can see here, all of these guys got some level of NBA interest, and some even were all stars, but something that stands out to me is that the backup level guards on this list, are pretty good defenders. There’s a possibility of a Cameron Payne type outcome here but Kolek will need to improve on that level.
Big Performance Highlights
32 Pts, 6 Reb, 9 Ast, 3 Stl, 2 To, 10-20 FG, 5-8 3PT, 7-8 FT
This was Kolek’s best game of the season. He was doing everything on the floor and was instrumental in their 5 point win over the Wildcats. Kolek was being aggressive and was passing the ball and setting up his teammates. He had a bit of a shooting night, but he had a good game in the peripheral stats.
21 Pts, 5 Reb, 11 Ast, 1 Stl, 6 To, 10-14 FG, 0-1 3PT, 1-2 FT
This game was in the round of 32, but it was a really good game and a close one. Marquette won this game by 4, and Kolek was a big reason. He came back from his oblique strain right as the tournament started, and man was he impressive and aggressive. HE took advantage of Colorado’s guards in putting up this performance.
Oso Ighodaro/Marquette
Marquette Athletics
Oso Ighodaro has been in draft conversations for a couple years now. He’s a very intelligent big man that coaches will love. He’s a very good passer as a big man, however, he has some physical limitations and questions with upside. However, he’s someone that teams should be interested in.
Personal Opinion
He’s someone I could see getting some run early in his career, if he ends up in a good situation. The reason why is because I think coaches will like him and might give him some runs. I don’t know how good he will be, but he is a high feel player, so I could see him sticking. However, I think the upside is very limited due to his archetype, size, and lack of offensive ability.
Fantasy
Fantasy-wise, nothing stands out much at all, apart from the out of position passing. However, given his current evaluation, it's hard to see a very good fantasy player. If he does start and hit, I think he could have a top 100 season, but he might be more used as a streamer.
If Oso fails in the league, Why?
His lack of size at the big man position could really hurt him, his lack of rebounding and physicality could really hurt him, and the lack of shooting. He also could end up in a bad spot on draft night.
Funny enough that Ighodaro is on here twice, but what’s worth noting about this is that almost this entire list, got at least some level of NBA attention. However, only 3 players on this list have gotten drafted. Blake Griffin, Franz Wagner, and Trayce Jackson-Davis, and only Jackson-Davis is a player that is comparable to Ighodaro, but even then, Trayce was a lot better of a college player and he got a guaranteed deal, but he fell to 57. Another thing that stands out is how many players in this filter were for this year. Robbie Avila, Jonathan Mogbo, Oso Ighodaro, Johni Broome, ALL with at least some level of interest. Broome and Avila went back though.
Big Performance Highlights
22 Pts, 8 Reb, 3 Ast, 3 Stl, 2 Blk, 2 To, 9-14 FG, 4-6 FT
This was a close game where Marquette lost by 3, but Ighodaro kept them close in this one. He had another really good game and filled up the stat sheet in this game. Ighodaro was the best player on the floor in this game, despite the loss.
15 Pts, 9 Reb, 7 Ast, 2 Stl, 2 Blk, 2 To, 7-10 FG, 1-2 FT
This was one of Ighodaro’s best games of the season from a fantasy perspective. He was doing a lot in the peripheral stats. Marquette won this game by 34 points, so it’s not like his impact was a big reason for it, but overall a really good game.
Final Thoughts
Jared McCain is a very good scoring guard that is really efficient from the field. He has a very big personality which will help in the locker room. He showed that he can play off-ball with some potential on ball ability in the future. I currently have Jared McCain at 5 on my big board. It’s earlier than I would like him, but I think there’s more there with him and I’m really uncertain on other players, which has caused him to move up for me. In the recent Dizzle Dynasty Mock, Jared McCain went 21 to the Phoenix Suns.
Kyle Filipowski is a big man that can shoot it, pass it, and dribble the basketball. These are the big men that are wanted in the NBA, and Filipowski can do it while being 7 foot. There are some concerns about the efficiency and defense, but teams will roll the dice. I currently have Filipowski at 12 on my board. With his abilities, teams will give him opportunities. I don’t know if he’ll be entirely successful, but he’s a good basketball player. In the recent Dizzle Dynasty Mock, Kyle Filipowski went 11 to the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Tyler Kolek is a very smart and tough nosed player who ran one of the best teams in college basketball this season. He’s a very talented playmaker and isn’t afraid of the moment. There are some physical limitations with him, but he’s a hard worker and there could be some potential to be an NBA player. I have Tyler Kolek at 35 on my big board. In the recent Dizzle Dynasty Mock, Tyler Kolek went 26 to the Washington Wizards.
Oso Ighodaro is a smart big man that can pass the ball. He’s not afraid to do the dirty work and contributes to winning. He, like Kolek, has some physical limitations at his position, and Ighodaro will need to be more physical in order to succeed, but there’s a chance there. I have Oso just outside my top 60 currently. He could jump back up depending on the combine, but I want to see how he plays this year. In the recent Dizzle Dynasty Mock, Oso Ighodaro went 35th to the Milwaukee Bucks.