The 2024 NBA Draft should’ve been a night of pure celebration for Kyle Filipowski. Instead, the 7-foot Duke star sat in the green room way longer than anyone expected. It was awkward. Fans were confused. Analysts were whispering. When he finally went 32nd overall to the Utah Jazz, the conversation wasn’t about his vertical or his shooting range. It was about his personal life.
Specifically, it was about kyle filipowski gf age and the bombshell allegations from his own family that she had "groomed" him.
The internet basically exploded. For weeks, you couldn't scroll through sports Twitter without seeing a new theory about Caitlin Hutchison and her relationship with the young NBA prospect. It's a messy, complicated situation that involves an age gap, religious conversion, and a family that claims they haven't spoken to their son in years.
How Old Is Caitlin Hutchison?
Let’s get the numbers straight first. Caitlin Hutchison was born on September 17, 1997. Kyle was born on November 7, 2003.
That puts the age gap at almost exactly six years. Honestly, in the world of adult relationships, a six-year difference isn't usually a headline. But the context here is what makes people—and NBA front offices—really uncomfortable.
Caitlin graduated from the University of Alabama in 2018. At that time, she was 21. Kyle? He was about 14 or 15 and still navigating early high school. The core of the controversy stems from when exactly their "romantic" connection began.
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The Timeline That Scared NBA Teams
If you look at the social media breadcrumbs, things get blurry. In May 2022, Kyle posted photos of Caitlin as his date to his high school senior prom. At the time, Kyle was 18. Caitlin was 24.
While an 18-year-old taking a 24-year-old to prom is definitely "eye-brow raising," it's not illegal. However, Kyle’s family, specifically his mother Becky and his brother Daniel, have a much darker version of events.
- The Family's Side: Becky Filipowski claimed on X (formerly Twitter) that Caitlin began "pursuing" Kyle when he was just 15.
- The Babysitter Rumor: There have been persistent claims that Caitlin or her family were once "babysitters" for the Filipowski kids. While some reports suggest they were just long-time family friends, the "babysitter" label stuck and fueled the grooming narrative.
- The Engagement: The couple got engaged in April 2024, right before the draft. For many, this felt like the "endgame" the Filipowski family had warned about.
Why the Utah Jazz Still Took Him
You’ve gotta wonder why the Jazz took the risk. NBA teams do "deep background" on every player. They talk to high school coaches, ex-girlfriends, neighbors—everyone. They knew about the estrangement. They knew about the kyle filipowski gf age debate.
Jazz GM Justin Zanik basically said they were comfortable with Kyle as a person. They saw a talented big man who could pass and shoot, and they decided the off-court noise wasn't a dealbreaker for a second-round pick. Plus, the fact that Caitlin is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) made the move to Utah feel... well, destined.
The family claims Kyle was "brainwashed" into the Mormon faith by Caitlin. They view his move to Salt Lake City as the final step in his isolation from them. It's a heavy accusation. To them, the age gap isn't just about years; it's about a power imbalance that started when he was a minor.
The Impact on the Draft Slide
ESPN’s Jonathan Givony was one of the first to report that teams were passing on Kyle because of the "odd situation" with his family. It wasn't just the age of his girlfriend; it was the fact that he had allegedly sent a "goodbye letter" to his parents and cut all ties.
In the NBA, "character" and "distractions" matter. If a team thinks a player's inner circle is going to be a constant source of drama or legal headaches, they’ll look elsewhere. Kyle’s slide from a projected top-20 pick to the second round likely cost him millions in his first contract.
What’s the Truth?
Honestly, we might never know the full story unless Kyle decides to speak up, which he hasn't really done. He seems happy. He’s playing in the NBA, he’s engaged, and he’s living his life.
Caitlin’s mother, Amanda Hutchison, defended her daughter to the Daily Mail, saying that for "everything that’s good... there will be adversaries." She basically framed the family's attacks as a "storm" they have to weather.
Is it a case of a predatory older woman "grooming" a future star? Or is it a case of a toxic family unable to let go of a son who found a new life and a new faith? Both sides are digging in their heels.
Actionable Takeaways for Fans
If you're following this story, here’s how to look at it moving forward:
- Watch the Court, Not Just the Tweets: Kyle’s performance in Utah will ultimately dictate how long this story survives. If he becomes a star, the drama fades. If he struggles, the "distraction" narrative returns.
- Understand the Legal Gap: While the moral debate over a 15-year-old vs. 21-year-old is intense, the public evidence of their actual "dating" starts when Kyle was 18.
- Respect the Silence: Kyle has chosen not to engage with his family’s public pleas. In 2026, he is an adult making his own choices, whether those choices are influenced by others or not.
The drama surrounding kyle filipowski gf age is a reminder that even in the high-stakes world of professional sports, people are still just people with messy families and complicated hearts. Whether this relationship lasts or not, it has already changed the trajectory of Kyle's career.
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For now, the best thing to do is keep an eye on his development with the Jazz. The off-court noise is loud, but the game is what he’s there for. If you’re interested in following the latest updates, keeping an eye on official team reports rather than social media speculation is usually the way to go.