Ep173: Groomed By Mormons? New Utah Jazz NBA Pick Controversy Explodes

On this breaking news episode of Mormonish Podcast, Rebecca and Landon delve into the strange scenario surrounding new Utah Jazz NBA draft pick, Kyle Filopowski.
Information surfaced this week that Kyle's fiancé, Caitlin Hutchinson is almost six years his senior and started dating him when he was in high school and she was in her 20s.
Added to this scenario is Kyle's family claiming that he has been groomed into Mormonism by Caitlin and cut off contact with his family two years ago.
Kyle was slated to be in the top 20 NBA draft picks this year but was not chosen until pick number 32 by the Utah Jazz. Insider information says that the coaches were concerned by the allegations of grooming by his fiancé and his estrangement from his family.
Kyle and Caitlin are now headed to Utah so we'll see what happens next!
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[@DrPsychofraculator]

I really think if their genders were reversed, we would not hesitate to see this as an inappropriate relationship at its inception.

[@Aaron-SLC]

In europe, it's not a big deal 🤷‍♀️ age of consent is 14 to 16 years old. All women are hypergamous.

[@IAmJustOneMom]

She was his babysitter... this fact changes the manipulation factor by x10.

[@purpleprose78]

I have a sixteen year old nephew. If a 20 something came after him, I would be having words with her if there was anything left after my sister-in-law chewed her out. Like this reads predatory to me.

[@carolyearsley]

She had been his baby sitter. It seems that their affection may have grown naturally over the years.

[@amygreen758]

Recruiting him to Mormonism and shunning his family, is the really predatory part that is public. We don't know if she coerced him to do anything else.

[@DKMELT]

If a 16 year old boy hooks up with a 20 year old girl, he not listening to anything you got to say. Neither will she. She has the power here.

[@IAmJustOneMom]

What is his babysitter (8-9 yrs older than the child she babysat) came back into your nephew's life when he was just turned 16 and she was 25 and started a different kind of relationship than that of his babysitter...? No wonder the parents are disturbed and no wonder the woman has kept the 19/20 yr old isolated from his family.

[@nancyevans3590]

Although I totally sympathize with Kyle’s parents feelings, I think it’s a horrible decision of their’s to publicize their feelings. This will only make a possible reconciliation with him at a future date much harder. Generally if a person is forced to choose between a parent or a romantic relationship, the parent almost always loses. And the fact that once something on the internet is permanent, the bad feelings will never be forgotten. Even if this romantic relationship ends at some point the resentment felt by the disparaged parties is forever.

[@rebeccabibliotheca]

Totally agree.. I feel sad for all Parties and hope for the best for all of them eventually..

[@amygreen758]

He might be a total asshole, and not healthy to maintain a relationship with. Blood is not thicker than water. It is common for pro sports athletes to be narcissistic douche bags. And Mormonism will just inflate the white cis male ego even bigger, if it's already inflated.

[@bodytrainer1crane730]

This is why it's so important to train children to protect themselves psychologically and to recognize possibly manipulative tactics and to always keep an open mind listening to various voices/opinions

[@carolyearsley]

Frankly, she looks like a decent person. She has an excellent education, as well. She was his baby sitter, so they would know each other well.

[@Robdog15]

Family is important, extremely important, filipowski would NOT be where he is without family, Utah is a family state where family values are important. She might be a money hungry woman but he is still free to choose. It’s his life!

[@bodytrainer1crane730]

I didn't realize the NBA looked so closely at players' families. That's interesting.

[@tenny810]

Isn’t the saying called flirt to convert in Mormonism?😊

[@CanadianAnglican]

It’s difficult. I’m curious as to why a 25 year old would want to hang out with someone under age? I wouldn’t even want to hang out with my younger sisters friends the maturity is different

[@Aaron-SLC]

Narcissism and their own immaturity but potentially sexual perversion

[@carolyearsley]

She had been his baby sitter, so they probably were comfortable with each other. it is becoming more common nowadays for younger men to marry older women. The stigma it once had is gone.

[@flaxenware]

But men do it ALLL THE TIME. are we assuming because she's older that something nefarious was going on? My grandpa was 9 years older than my grandma. No one cared.

[@IAmJustOneMom]

She had been his BABYSITTER...

[@rockjackson157]

An hour to tell a 10 minute story? Glad I can fast forward.😀

[@helenvick522]

In order to be a superstar in the church, they will have to change their clothing style.

[@QuinnPrice]

Sad to see his draft stock drop. He's talented. Control-motivated people target younger, naive, or traumatized people who have resources and use isolation as a control mechanism. NBA scouts recognized that he's been played and might lack mental maturity.

[@carolyearsley]

Rebecca mentioned is a few replies that she had been his baby sitter. They seem to me to be naturally comfortable around each other. i don't think she tried to trap and isolate him. They grew fond of each other over the years. I think that he had a rift with his family over money, possibly.

[@codyironworks307]

Maybe the parents saw the money and screwed this up for the kids because they lost out? I personally haven't ever seen a TBM wearing a bikini on social media

[@carolyearsley]

Yes, I think that the idea of all that money coming into the family went to their heads, and they are giving him grief now.

[@marquitaarmstrong399]

Hmmmmmm

[@FourofSix]

@@carolyearsley really you haven’t? I have -in my own circle. Times are changing.

[@carolyearsley]

@@FourofSix I think that you meant to reply to codyironworks307.

[@leishabest313]

That statement doesn’t hold water. I know Fully active members who wear bikinis on social media.

[@christianfarmer]

It's also possible Kyle's parents are abusive. We don't know the whole situation.

[@rebeccabibliotheca]

Agreed we have no idea. Which is why we tried to cover all angles and focus on the angle of the NBA coaches seeing something in his personal life that made them all pass on him. I’m sure more of the story will come out soon.

[@amygreen758]

And it's possible that Kyle is abusive. It sounds like a very complicated situation.

[@christianfarmer]

@@amygreen758 possible. Possible everybody's a little abusive.

[@jonjahr3403]

I had a girl from church who flirted endlessly with me from the time I was 12 until I turned 18, and she was 6 years older than I was. I'm 32 now, and I tried to say hi to her when I ran into her and her (then) new husband at Walmart about 9 years ago. And, she wouldn't even glance in my direction.

[@marquitaarmstrong399]

I would like to hear followup on this couple.....

[@codyironworks307]

It's nice that this episode diverged from the norm thanks for all the work you guys 🎉❤😂😊

[@gcarson19]

Joseph Smith might have been a treasure digger, but this girl is a gold digger...

[@carolyearsley]

I really don't think so. If she was his baby sitter it's possible that they have known each other, for about the most, thirteen years, starting with him being 7 and her 13. They would have probably gotten to know each other well over the years. Then she went off to college and made something of herself. She didn't sit around waiting for him to save her. As thy matured their friendship probably blossomed naturally over the years. I think that his parents have been obsessed with the money he would bring in. Then he changed course, possibly triggering a family feud. Big money can bring out the worst is some people.

[@Doc.Hansen]

Geesh! Really nothing better to talk about? They're happy and I'm happy for them. ❤

[@carolyearsley]

They do look very happy together. I think that she's at least inactive.

[@incognito137]

💯

[@flaxenware]

People can't handle that sometimes the woman is older instead of the other way around. So let's make a villain out of her.

[@Hallahanify]

Ok this just seems like gossip

[@rebeccabibliotheca]

The relevance is that all of the top NBA coaches passed on him because of his personal life. Perhaps they thought of the Manti Te’o story. If it’s about Mormonism and it’s in the headlines we will report on it. We tried to give a well rounded point of what was happening. It could be just gossip but the gossip cost him $13 million when he slid from the top 20. And the gossip involved Mormonism. That’s a story.

[@user-sj5lk6qr6q]

It’s actually fascinating. The fact that she’s LDS and then he gets drafted by the Jazz just make it kind of crazy. Love this content mixing church, crazy family, and the NBA. How often do we get stories like this 😁

[@Deepdiver4U]

Shoulda seen the looks on the faces of my Dad and Mom When I showed up at the door with a date for the senior prom They said: "Well, pardon us son, she ain't no kid "That's a cocktail waitress in a Dolly Parton wig I said: "I know it dad, ain't she cool, that's the kind I dig"😂😂❤

[@samsmom400]

Never ever bad mouth the girlfriend/wife. If the parents want a relationship, apologize. Embrace her.

[@user-sj5lk6qr6q]

Right! It’s almost always a losing battle

[@IAmJustOneMom]

She had been his babysitter...

[@samsmom400]

@@IAmJustOneMom Lesson learned. Pick ugly old babysitters. Still, forget the past. Move forward in the best way possible. Apologize. Embrace her and try to build a relationship.

[@CatskillsGrrl]

I don’t understand why his family is dragging them on social media. They should shut up and hope for a reconciliation in the future.

[@wallaceblack5176]

I have seen him play. He is very good and I do not think his religion or lack of it and relationship with an older woman would make any difference. I am going to watch him pllay and cheer for him to be sucessful. The Utah Jazz did a good job drafting this year. I thik this guy should have went much higher. We will see. I liked your show.

[@amygreen758]

It sounds like the Mormon church paid someone big money to pick him for the Utah Jazz at 32, so that Utah can have a pro sports Mormon face.

[@MyE46WontStart]

Cool hypothetical. But Kyle was supposed to be picked 15-20, so Utah got a bargain at 32

[@Aim-free2023]

My heart goes out to his family and his parents. My son was married at 19 and it was really hard letting him go. It’s so hard on mom. To not hear from him after he left would have been heartbreaking. I hope this young man opens his eyes and sees how he’s hurt his family and try to make amends. Shame on her for any part she had in this.

[@teresawyldhart]

Teams also consider what their needs are as far as his skill-set. Teams usually try to pick up players to fill a hole or to be nurtured to fill an upcoming hole.

[@leishabest313]

Wow it’s crazy how social media can effect you these days. So glad I was born when a potencial employer cannot see my past.

[@amybaker1880]

Flirt to convert. Anyone that's not under Satan's influence can see what god would encourage deceit. Any covenants made through deceit wouldn't be valid for Heavenly Father.

[@nikimcbee]

Would the Jazz pre dededuct tithing? Lol

[@gorditogordito8729]

Back in the olden days, I was told the employees of ZCMI had tithing deducted from their salaries - even of they weren't mormon.

[@sleepycalico]

@@gorditogordito8729 That's fascinating. Wouldn't they be sued? Or is the right to freedom of religion only in federal employment?

[@gorditogordito8729]

@@sleepycalico If I remember correctly, it was a lawsuit that stopped the practice.

[@sleepycalico]

@@gorditogordito8729 I will give that a HALLELUJAH!

[@jackiek412]

😂😂😂😂😂

[@user-ij5ru7ox2i]

Many nonmembers like to hire a good Mormon girl for a babysitter. I think this shows how unsafe some Mormons can be where they’re secretly trying to convert your kids while in their care!

[@clairelegate1139]

One thing I was hoping you would bring up that I saw many other people report on is there was a post made my someone he knew who tagged her when they were younger saying she was actually their family babysitter.

[@michellesunshinestar]

I would never date a guy younger than me.

[@DeanneSanchez]

I can totally relate Rebbeca. I was always one of the last ones picked. , I was a pretty good kicker . I miss those types of fun activities , sometimes hard but good to . Do you remember swinging on the swings ? A friend of mine we use to do the spider That was always fun 😊 Have a blessed day ♥️

[@marquitaarmstrong399]

Fun to look back on at 76. Was never interested in basketball or football but loved street rollerskating. The guys always wanted me on their team. 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉 oh boy....days gone by. And yay days to come.🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@gcarson19]

I think they call it scissoring nowadays...

[@jackiek412]

I thought Mormons in general were a bit more modest. All of the Mormons that I know definitely do not wear bikinis like that.

[@Robdog15]

The ping pong balls decide who gets the first pick, not the worst team

[@CBCDs]

Why didn’t Jazz pick him in first round?

[@rebeccabibliotheca]

The jazz picked another player who is ranked higher. Then later after Kyle had not been chosen they went back with their second pick and picked him.

[@delhargis2219]

@@rebeccabibliotheca he was their third pick this year

[@user-sj5lk6qr6q]

He was supposed to go in the top 15 or 20 picks. Not sure why he dropped so far. His skill set is ideal for the NBA and most NBA draft experts expect him to be at least a role player. He has a little short wingspan, which is the distance from one hand to another with arms straight out from shoulder height. So some scouts think he might be a little short for a center and a little slow to guard some power forwards. This is not a consensus thought among the experts, just with some.

[@vegadog3053]

Maybe Kyle's family sucks too? 🤷‍♂️

[@heinerd.munchen1430]

She turned blonde after HS over night?

[@juneb5975]

It doesn't take THAT long to color your hair. And seriously, why would coloring one's hair be a problem?

[@leishabest313]

When I was seventeen, I went out with college age guys on occasion. In my mind 23 was my limit. My family is LDS. Also did the girlfriend cause the loss of money or did his family cause the loss when they posted the private lives of their son on social media?

[@buban6933]

I believe I read that the posts were actually posted after the first day of the draft, so he had already dropped out of the first round

[@buban6933]

Supposedly he had lackluster interviews and pre draft workouts prior to draft day which is what dropped him down in the draft.. just seems a little odd he dropped 20 spots in a very weak draft

[@philclegg8169]

15:49 I think the dates in these slides are off?

[@rebeccabibliotheca]

The dates are off of her Instagram posts. Which ones are you concerned about? We wanna make sure we get it right.

[@philclegg8169]

@@rebeccabibliotheca I may just be misunderstanding, but the prom picture slide seemed to indicate it was taken in 2023?

[@philclegg8169]

May 21, 2022 is what you have on prom. He would have been 18 by then by my calculations. 🤷‍♂️

[@rebeccabibliotheca]

@@philclegg8169 yes he would’ve been 18 in his prom but the posts say something about having been together for a year. But again none of this is about the age difference. It’s all about the top NBA coaches passing on him because something they perceive in his personal life that have to do with Mormonism. That’s the only reason we reported on it. And the fact that it is in all top news outlets right now and it has to do with Mormonism.

[@nancyjohnson8642]

Reminds me of Shannon Gardner with the Stamping Up company money who turns against her “young” former husband and contracts to have him killed. Maybe his parents read about that case and got scared by it.

[@michellesunshinestar]

Rebecca, I'm a night owl. I loved it when I worked second shift. Either 4 pm - midnight or 6 pm - 2 am. I would fall asleep around 4 am, wake up get coffee because I was no longer LDS, and do the whole thing over again. Ok, and my ex always worked first shift, 6 am. I could never wake up to make him breakfast.

[@marquitaarmstrong399]

Gosh I was 5 years older than both my hubbies but then again was in my late 20s early 30s.

[@RebeccaRaven]

Flirt to convert or groom to doom? Discuss. Still watching but how did their circles even intersect?

[@rebeccabibliotheca]

She was his babysitter

[@vegadog3053]

​. Damn! There are songs about that

[@Net1085]

@@rebeccabibliotheca how do we know this? I haven’t done any of my own research.

[@sleepycalico]

@@rebeccabibliotheca Seriously??? 😮

[@carolyearsley]

@@sleepycalico i don't remember that being mentioned in the podcast. That throws a new light on the situation. She didn't just come out of the blue and glom onto him all of a sudden because he is well known. They have apparently known each other for years.

[@jameswalberg3265]

Good story and well-presented. She does seemt o me like the classic gold digger. I hear wedding bells and a child to follow.

[@natenelson9102]

This .... Isn't a story....not a Mormonism podcast story yet. The only thing is that the parents cry that their son has been Mormon brain washed, but we don't have compelling evidence yet. Can we hold off on these stories till they rise to an appropriate level of relevance?

[@rebeccabibliotheca]

The relevance is that all of the top NBA coaches passed on him due to his personal life which has an angle in Mormonism. Mormonish Podcast does episodes on anything in the headlines about Mormonism that is interesting to our viewers. If you Google the story it is the top headline everywhere in the sports world. If it’s national news with Mormonism involved we will cover it. Remember the Manti Te’o story? Very similar..

[@natenelson9102]

@@rebeccabibliotheca I understand the appeal, but there isn't anything more really to contribute to the conversation beyond wait and see. If the story is about how the sports world views Mormonism, that's relevant, if the story is that he was kicked off the list explicitly because of the Mormon connection, that's a story, but at this point, it appears to be a 2 minute mention while covering a separate area. I just enjoy your guys' content because you bring in elements and breaking news, this tho, I'll admit was a little disappointing. But of course if the audience finds it relevant, then I'm wrong

[@user-sj5lk6qr6q]

This story def is relevant. And it’s circulating everywhere, so why not emphasize it. Also it’s gonna bring in a lot of different viewers who usually don’t watch this channel, so it’s a smart move. Even if you don’t like the NBA it’s very interesting. What about it don’t you find interesting? He’s at Duke, one of the highest profile basketball programs in the country. She was his babysitter and then his family tried to get him to choose them over her. She’s LDS. He gets drafted by the Jazz. Is any of that not a little interesting? The only thing I don’t know with their angle is that I don’t know if he slipped in the draft because of this story. Other guys slipped in the draft too that have nothing to do with something like this. So not sure if that affected it or not.

[@natenelson9102]

@@user-sj5lk6qr6qThe problem is that the connection to Mormonism is tenuous at best. 95% of this is speculation, we don't know how strong anything about this relates to Mormonism. It could be something, but right now, we just don't have enough information to spend an hour to talk about it meaningfully.

[@natenelson9102]

I just don't want Mormonish to have to drop everything in the middle of the night for every salacious dribble , but wait till they can give meaningful and quality content

[@DKMELT]

I think this girl needs to go full morman and stable two or three players. If Joseph did it...why not her😊

[@codyironworks307]

Well you know the song about older women Landon 😊

[@marquitaarmstrong399]

What song?????

[@ShulaMG]

I’d like to know how they met

[@rebeccabibliotheca]

She was his babysitter

[@ShulaMG]

@@rebeccabibliotheca 😳 I hope not. 😉😎

[@rebeccabibliotheca]

@@ShulaMGshe was

[@ShulaMG]

@@rebeccabibliotheca I’m blown away. No wonder his parents are upset.

[@stellaarthur2739]

See Manti Teo THAT'S why it caused hesitation in NBA teams - everyone knows by now most influencers are Mormon, they know how prolific Mormons are on social media

[@rebeccabibliotheca]

I was totally going to mention him and I forgot! Dang it! I want to retake the whole podcast! Ha ha!

[@stellaarthur2739]

@@rebeccabibliotheca word! it's definitely got Teo vibes LoL a good ol Mormon girl manipulated an athlete looking to be drafted 1st Round... I genuinely feel bad for Mormon men, told to be meek & are naive as it gets

[@user-sj5lk6qr6q]

It might have nothing to do with Manti Teo. Two very different situations. It’s possible it was linked, but I think other factors played a bigger role for him dropping . The teams interview most of the players they draft. So they can tell how the players personality fits in with their team. That would impact them drafting him more than this story most likely.

[@IAmJustOneMom]

Her outfits are certain to entice a 16 yr old male.

[@flaxenware]

Cool, shame her for her clothes. Women are pretty used to that.

[@carolyearsley]

@@flaxenware Exmo pod casters wear more revealing clothes. It's a form of rebellion against the purity culture. Maybe she is out, too, and doing the same thing.

[@IAmJustOneMom]

@@flaxenware She was his BABYSITTER. HIS babysitter. And a woman 8-9 yrs older than a 16yr old boy does, in fact, know how her clothing choices will impact a boy.

[@KG10toTH5]

Filipowski might have dropped partly because of iffy defense in a rim-running modern NBA, but if these rumors over grooming made him fall further, other teams' qualms are the Jazz's gain. If every NBA player who had been pursued by gold-diggers were ostracized, the NBA would be a lot thinner Looks like Filipowski is not returning the favor to his family who shamed him over this seeming nothingburger. She started pursuing him when he was 17, but he could dump her now if he's not into her. Does the name Karl Malone ring a bell? He hooked up with a teenager, decades ago. A 24-year-old woman pursuing an 18-year-old, pure motives or not, isn't the most extreme out there. Oh and Givony = Give-ah-knee, but whatevs. Might be good to quickly check pronunciation before podcasting. It takes seconds.

[@brendabolen7509]

I’m sorry, but if he was born in 2003-then he would be 19 or almost 19 in 2022, not 17.

[@rebeccabibliotheca]

He’s 20 now in 2024

[@rebeccabibliotheca]

Born in November so late in 2003.

[@marquitaarmstrong399]

Mom sees dollar signs flying away on wings......

[@jtregulator49]

SMH! You obviously know nothing about the NBA. Teams will draft by need or best player available. Players fall all of the time. Why did the Jazz draft Collier at 29? He was the best player coming out of high school and should have been drafted in the top 5. Way to make a mount out of a molehill! Except for Bronny James, who a person has or is in a relationship with has nothing to do with why a person is drafted.

[@Jeanikins]

I cannot, for the life of me, see what business this is of yours or anyone else.

[@rebeccabibliotheca]

We report on Mormonism in the national news. If you google this story you will find that it is making headlines everywhere.

[@marquitaarmstrong399]

I get your point also.

[@marquitaarmstrong399]

Okay. You guys are really having me stroll down memory lzne. Back to high school 66 or 65. Peggy and Greg. Peggy senior. Greg sophomore. Anyway we're going who is this child. She's like i cant shake him. Today they r grandparents of 12 or so. Ok that worked out....

[@marquitaarmstrong399]

Point is which matters most age or love???????

[@silverwolf1967]

I just wonder what your motive was for making this postcast as to explain why you think his draft stock went down or as antimorman message?

[@rebeccabibliotheca]

I don’t think this would be seen as an anti-Mormon message? The story is that he was passed on by all the major NBA coaches because of his personal life and there was an element of Mormonism in that. We podcast on anything that has to do with Mormonism that is in the news. The story is everywhere. We gave a fair and balanced treatment of what is happening. I’m guessing there will be more that comes out soon. I’m also wondering if this is sort of the Manti Te’o factor.

[@tonelove666]

By the look on his face, her mouth has been full since she first got his attention.

[@flaxenware]

It's kind of sickening how she's being attacked. They're consenting adults. And guess what, sometimes the woman is older than the guy.

[@radicalkelly59]

Oh great. Another man who thinks sex is all about the weiner.

[@flaxenware]

Give me a break! If he was 26 and she was 20 no one would think anything of it, but as it is, you do a whole episode about it. I'm kinda disappointed in you. Just because traditionally the man is older in a hetero relationship doesn't mean it can't be the other way around. 🤦🏼‍♀️

[@rebeccabibliotheca]

That is absolutely not what the episode is about. The episode is about the top NBA coaches who did not choose him because of something they perceived in his personal life that had to do with Mormonism. If you watch the episode you’ll see that we cover it from all angles. It absolutely is not about the age difference. The story is covered in all major newspapers right now and sports outlets. Mormonish Podcast will always report on some thing that is in the headline to this degree that has to do with Mormonism.

[@user-jj1wz2lp2d]

If she started dating him when he was 16 a n d she's 22 that's weird and illegal

[@user-rd3cl7lg2f]

Are you suggesting that our LDS Mormon Church is sabotaging his NBA Draft because the Church doesn't think he is living the standards of the Church, by marrying an older woman?

[@rebeccabibliotheca]

No?

[@Net1085]

Right. I am struggling to see how this would affect his draft. This story doesn’t seem that big of a deal for an NBA player. And I don’t expect the podcast to know because there isn’t enough information but we are definitely missing some to understand the correlation.

[@rebeccabibliotheca]

@@Net1085 I think back to the Manti Te’o story. I wonder if that made them shy away. The coaches said that he seemed uncomfortable in the interviews when he was talking about the situation and perhaps they were afraid there was drama and wanted to shy away.

[@jackiek412]

Absolutely it affected his draft pick. He was scheduled to go low teens, maybe even higher. He was invited to the green room and only top 10 get invited. He went second round , 32. It is very clear it affected his draft in a negative way. The NBA teams have openly stated they were concerned about him being estranged from his family and the age gap between him and the girl.

[@sherryburton2266]

I heard she was his babysitter and he now has nothing to do with his family, not even his parents.