Duke star and projected first-round pick Kyle Filipowski announced Friday on X that he is declaring for the 2024 NBA draft.

Returning to the Blue Devils for a sophomore season was a shrewd decision for the 7-foot center. His game has evolved over the last year to the point where he might be a lock for the lottery.

Filipowski averaged 16.4 points, 8.3 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.5 blocks in 36 games. His growth as a shooter in particular stood out. He hit 34.8 percent of his three-pointers, up from 28.2 percent as a freshman in 2022-23.

Bleacher Report's Jonathan Wasserman projected Filipowski to go 13th overall to the Portland Trail Blazers in his most recent 2024 mock draft.

"Filipowski sharpened and expanded specific skills that should allow him to fit in easier in the NBA, most notably his shooting, passing and defense," Wasserman wrote in his scouting report. "... However, scouts continue to debate Filipowski's ceiling and whether it maxes out at frontcourt reserve, starting role player or borderline star."

Filipowski might have been left a little disappointed with how the season unfolded from a team perspective. The Blue Devils didn't ultimately live up to their status as the preseason No. 2 team in the country and suffered a regular-season sweep at the hands of hated rival North Carolina.

Duke was subsequently bounced in the Elite Eight of the 2024 NCAA tournament.

Between that and the money he could continue to earn through his name, image and likeness, Filipowski had some reasons to ponder staying in Durham.

From a draft perspective, there was probably little he could do to improve his situation, so declaring now was an obvious call.

This news won't come as a surprise to head coach Jon Scheyer, and Filipowski's departure may not be a significant blow thanks to the loaded 2024 recruiting class Scheyer and his staff have assembled.

The Blue Devils have five 5-star talents on their way, a group headlined by Cooper Flagg. There's no question they'll have the talent necessary to make a deep March Madness run in 2025.