Devils Illustrated was able to connect with newly committed Kyle Filipowski about his decision to attend Duke. The 6-foot-10 big man spoke genuinely and openly about what it was about the opportunity in Durham that made him pull the trigger.

Below is a transcript of the exclusive conversation between Devils Illustrated and the rising senior who will be a five-star recruit in the next Rivals recruiting rankings.

Devils Illustrated: So when did you actually decide on Duke and talk about what made you commit so quickly last week?

Filipowski: “There was a lot of debates with my coaches and parents whether or not to wait to announce and keep my options open longer. But I just felt in my mind and heart that that would only delay the inevitable and I wanted to be coach (Jon) Scheyer’s first commit for his head coaching career.”

DI: What was it about Duke?

Filipowski: “Duke checks all the boxes off for me when it comes to a national level program, high academics, a comfortable environment. And my relationship with the coaches and where I felt best I could become the best version of myself as a player and a person.”

DI: What was Scheyer’s vision for you and how you’d fit in and be utilized in the Duke offense?

Filipowski: “Coach Scheyer’s vision for me is more of an overall team vision. He believes that I can be the glue to the team and be the leader on the court that ultimately meshes this team together and brings another championship home.”

DI: Outside of basketball, what else helped Duke win this recruitment?

Filipowski: “Academics are a huge priority to me, the community and atmosphere of Duke. It didn’t feel different to me on my visit, it was a more natural feeling like this is where I belong and need to be for my future years at Duke.”

DI: With Name, Image and Likeness being a big part of things now, was NIL part of the sell at Duke? Do they talk about that at all with you?

Filipowski: “They did talk about the NIL with me and it was a big, impressive pitch. But that was not one of my main reasons for choosing Duke, because of my other focuses as well. Of course it is a very beneficial add on to choosing Duke but it did not play that much of an impact in my decision.”

DI: And my last question, now that Dariq Whitehead and yourself are onboard as the first two commitments in the Jon Scheyer era at Duke, who else do you you want to join you?

Filipowski: “I see the same vision coach Scheyer has for our class and how special it could be and right now that is already beginning to come together. Just to name a couple potential teammates I would love to have JJ Starling, Jaden Schutt, Mark Mitchell, and Dereck Lively part of the class as well. Not saying those are the only people, that’s just a couple to name.”