Filipowski, a 7-footer who played two seasons with the Blue Devils, was taken with the 32nd overall pick by the Utah Jazz, as the NBA debuted a new format that had the draft split into two days, with the first round being held Wednesday night and the second round Thursday.
Filipowski was one of two players — along with Kansas forward Johnny Furphy — who was invited to the NBA’s green room for the first round but wasn’t selected.
But Filipowski, who averaged 16.4 points and 8.3 rebounds as a sophomore, saw his wait end quickly Thursday, as he followed University of San Francisco center Jonathan Mogbo, who was taken 31st overall by the Toronto Raptors to kick off the second round.
Furphy waited a few more picks, but the Australian eventually went off the board when the Indiana Pacers traded up one spot with the San Antonio Spurs to nab the 35th selection, which they used on the versatile forward who shot 36% last season at Kansas.
The Spurs then took Juan Nunez, a Spanish point guard, with the 36th selection — the first of the 10 players who traveled to ESPN’s Seaport studios for Thursday’s second round to hear their name selected.
Another player who attended Wednesday’s draft but wasn’t selected — G League Ignite big man Tyler Smith — went at No. 33 to the Milwaukee Bucks.
Meanwhile, Bronny James went 55th overall to the Los Angeles Lakers, where he’ll join his father, LeBron.
