Isaiah Stewart II (born May 22, 2001) is an American professional basketball player for the Detroit Pistons of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for the Washington Huskies. Listed at 6 feet 8 inches (2.03 m) and 250 pounds (113 kg), he plays the center and power forward positions.

Isaiah Stewart
Stewart with the Detroit Pistons in 2022
No. 28 – Detroit Pistons
PositionPower forward / center
LeagueNBA
Personal information
Born (2001-05-22) May 22, 2001 (age 23)
Rochester, New York, U.S.
Listed height6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)
Listed weight250 lb (113 kg)
Career information
High school
CollegeWashington (2019–2020)
NBA draft2020: 1st round, 16th overall pick
Selected by the Portland Trail Blazers
Playing career2020–present
Career history
2020–presentDetroit Pistons
Career highlights and awards
Stats at NBA.com Edit this at Wikidata
Stats at Basketball Reference Edit this at Wikidata
Medals
Representing  United States
FIBA World U17 Cup
Gold medal – first place 2018 Argentina Team

Stewart attended McQuaid Jesuit High School in New York in his first two years of high school, after which he transferred to La Lumiere School, a prep school in Indiana. He was a consensus five-star recruit and was ranked among the top players in the 2019 class. Stewart earned McDonald's All-American honors and was named Mr. Basketball USA and Naismith Prep Player of the Year.

Early life

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Stewart was born in Rochester, New York.[1] He grew up playing soccer and boxing.[2] Starting in fifth grade, Stewart focused on basketball, which he was drawn to because of his size and athleticism.[3] He played organized basketball for the first time at age 10, while attending elementary school in Rochester. At age 12, Stewart stood around 6 feet 0 inches (1.83 m).[4]

High school

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Stewart at the Nike EYBL in July 2018

Stewart attended McQuaid Jesuit High School in his first two years of high school. When he was 14 years old, as a freshman, he stood 6 feet 7 inches (2.01 m).[4] In his freshman season, Stewart averaged 18.5 points, 12.4 rebounds and 3.1 blocks per game, recording two back-to-back 40-point games, and was named Rochester City Athletic Conference player of the year.[5] In October 2016, he broke his tailbone during United States national under-16 team tryouts and consequently missed most of his sophomore season.[6] On February 2, 2017, Stewart returned to the court, posting 35 points, 14 rebounds, and six blocks in his season debut.[7]

Entering his junior year, Stewart transferred to La Lumiere School, a prep school in La Porte, Indiana with a prestigious basketball program.[8] In 19 games, he averaged 19.8 points, 11.2 rebounds, and 2.4 blocks per game, leading his team to a 25–4 record.[1] Stewart earned MaxPreps Junior All-American honorable mention recognition.[9] In his senior season with La Lumiere, he averaged 18.1 points, 11.3 rebounds, and 2.9 blocks per game, helping his team to a 30–1 record.[10] Stewart won the Naismith Prep Player of the Year and Mr. Basketball USA awards.[11][12] He was named to the USA Today All-USA first team and MaxPreps All-American second team.[10][13] Stewart played in the McDonald's All-American Game,[14] Jordan Brand Classic,[15] and Nike Hoop Summit.[16]

Recruiting

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Stewart finished his high school career as a consensus five-star recruit and top-five player in the 2019 class.[17][18][19] On January 21, 2019, he committed to playing college basketball for Washington. The other finalists to land him were Duke, Kentucky, Michigan State, and Syracuse. Stewart was drawn to Washington because of his longtime relationship with Mike Hopkins.[20] He knew Hopkins, a former Syracuse assistant coach, since his time playing for McQuaid Jesuit.[21]

College recruiting information
Name Hometown High school / college Height Weight Commit date
Isaiah Stewart
C
Rochester, NY La Lumiere School (IN) 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 245 lb (111 kg) Jan 20, 2019 
Star ratings: Rivals:    247Sports:     ESPN:    ESPN grade: 96
Overall recruiting rankings:   Rivals: 2  247Sports: 4  ESPN: 3
  • Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight.
  • In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale.

Sources:

  • "Washington 2019 Basketball Commitments". Rivals.com. Retrieved January 29, 2019.
  • "2019 Washington Huskies Recruiting Class". ESPN.com. Retrieved January 29, 2019.
  • "2019 Team Ranking". Rivals.com. Retrieved January 29, 2019.

College career

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Heading into the season Stewart and teammate Jaden McDaniels were projected as potential top 3 picks for the 2020 NBA draft and possibly going first and second. In part to this, Washington also received a lot of hype. Stewart made his college debut for UW against the Baylor Bears in the 2019 Armed Forces Classic, recording 15 points and seven rebounds, including the game-winning basket in a 67–64 victory for Washington.[22] At the conclusion of the regular season, Stewart was named to the All-Pac-12 first team and the Freshman Team.[23] Stewart posted 29 points and 12 rebounds against Arizona in the Pac-12 tournament. He averaged 17 points, 8.8 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per game as a freshman. On April 1, 2020, Stewart declared for the 2020 NBA draft, forgoing his remaining college eligibility.[24]

Professional career

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Detroit Pistons (2020–present)

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Stewart was drafted 16th overall by the Portland Trail Blazers in the 2020 NBA draft. On November 22, 2020, Stewart, Trevor Ariza, and a conditional future first-round pick were traded to the Houston Rockets in exchange for Robert Covington.[25] On November 24, Stewart, Ariza, a future second round pick, and cash considerations were traded to the Detroit Pistons in exchange for Christian Wood, a protected future first-round pick, and a second round pick in 2021.[26] On December 1, the Pistons announced that they had signed Stewart to his rookie scale contract.[27]

On November 21, 2021, Stewart was ejected in the third quarter after getting into a scuffle with LeBron James during a 116–121 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers.[28] James initially hit Stewart in the face, which led to a bloody-faced Stewart charging at James multiple times. Stewart had to be held back by multiple game officials and players.[29] The next day, it was announced that Stewart would be suspended for two games for his actions.[30]

On March 9, 2023, the Pistons announced that Stewart was diagnosed with a left shoulder impingement and would be sidelined for at least three-to-four weeks.[31]

On July 10, 2023, it was reported that Stewart had agreed to a 4-year, $64 million contract extension with the Pistons.[32]

On February 14, 2024, Stewart was arrested in Phoenix for assault after allegedly punching opponent Drew Eubanks in the parking lot of Footprint Center during a dispute before a matchup against the Phoenix Suns. Stewart was issued a citation and released.[33]

National team career

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Stewart played for the United States at the 2018 FIBA Under-17 Basketball World Cup in Argentina. In seven games, he averaged 11.1 points and 8.4 rebounds per game.[34] In the finals, Stewart led all scorers with 15 points and nine rebounds in a 95–52 win over France to capture the gold medal.[35]

Career statistics

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Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field goal percentage  3P%  3-point field goal percentage  FT%  Free throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game  Bold  Career high
Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2020–21 Detroit 68 14 21.4 .553 .333 .696 6.7 .9 .6 1.3 7.9
2021–22 Detroit 71 71 25.6 .510 .326 .718 8.7 1.2 .3 1.1 8.3
2022–23 Detroit 50 47 28.3 .442 .327 .738 8.1 1.4 .4 .7 11.3
2023–24 Detroit 46 45 30.9 .487 .383 .753 6.6 1.6 .4 .8 10.9
Career 235 177 26.0 .498 .348 .727 7.6 1.2 .4 1.0 9.3

College

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Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2019–20 Washington 32 32 32.2 .570 .250 .774 8.8 .8 .5 2.1 17.0

Personal life

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Stewart's father Dela Stewart, who is a native of Jamaica, emigrated to the United States in the early 1970s for farm work. Later on, he moved to New York, where he met Stewart's mother Shameka Holloway and began working in construction.[2] Stewart's paternal grandfather, who was a Jamaican fisherman and farmer, stood 6 feet 9 inches (2.06 m).[2][4] Stewart has worn the number 33 basketball jersey in honor of Jamaican former National Basketball Association (NBA) player Patrick Ewing.[4]

References

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  1. ^ a b "Isaiah Stewart". USA Basketball. May 23, 2019. Archived from the original on October 21, 2020. Retrieved July 19, 2019.
  2. ^ a b c Allen, Percy (May 17, 2019). "5-star recruit Isaiah Stewart is bringing a tenacious work ethic to UW. He can thank his dad for that". The Seattle Times. Retrieved July 18, 2019.
  3. ^ Ditota, Donna (May 29, 2018). "Syracuse baskeball recruiting target Isaiah Stewart talks trimming list, Duke, USA hoops". The Post-Standard. Retrieved July 19, 2019.
  4. ^ a b c d Johnson, James (January 31, 2016). "Meet McQuaid freshman sensation Isaiah Stewart". Democrat and Chronicle. Retrieved July 18, 2019.
  5. ^ DiVeronica, Jeff (August 20, 2017). "McQuaid's Isaiah Stewart leaving for Indiana prep powerhouse". Democrat and Chronicle. Retrieved July 19, 2019.
  6. ^ Johnson, James (October 13, 2016). "McQuaid basketball star Isaiah Stewart out most of season". Democrat and Chronicle. Retrieved July 19, 2019.
  7. ^ DiVeronica, Jeff (February 2, 2017). "Prep school? Isaiah Stewart staying put, father says". Democrat and Chronicle. Retrieved July 19, 2019.
  8. ^ "Elite power forward Isaiah Stewart transferring to Super 25 champion La Lumiere". USA Today High School Sports. August 20, 2017. Retrieved July 19, 2019.
  9. ^ Divens, Jordan (April 13, 2018). "2017–18 MaxPreps Boys Basketball Junior All-American Team". MaxPreps. Retrieved July 19, 2019.
  10. ^ a b Inguaggiato, Brodie (April 2, 2019). "Isaiah Stewart named to USA Today 2019 All-USA High School Basketball First Team". Democrat and Chronicle. Retrieved July 20, 2019.
  11. ^ Flores, Ronnie (May 18, 2019). "All-Time Mr. Basketball USA Honorees". Grassroots Hoops. Retrieved July 20, 2019.
  12. ^ "Haley Jones and Isaiah Stewart Win 2019 Jersey Mike's Naismith Trophy for High School Player of the Year". Naismith Prep Player of the Year Award. March 15, 2019. Retrieved July 20, 2019.
  13. ^ Divens, Jordan (April 11, 2019). "MaxPreps 2018–19 High School Boys Basketball All-American Team". MaxPreps. Retrieved July 20, 2019.
  14. ^ Boone, Kyle (March 27, 2019). "2019 McDonald's All-American Game: Cole Anthony named MVP, UK signee Tyrese Maxey shows flashes". CBS Sports. Retrieved July 20, 2019.
  15. ^ Gordon, Sam (April 19, 2019). "Jordan Brand Classic all-star game features best prep players". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved July 20, 2019.
  16. ^ Blockus, Gary R. (March 27, 2019). "Isaiah Stewart Will Bring Workmanlike Mentality to Nike Hoop Summit". USA Basketball. Archived from the original on March 31, 2019. Retrieved July 20, 2019.
  17. ^ "Isaiah Stewart, 2019 Center". Rivals. Retrieved July 20, 2019.
  18. ^ "Isaiah Stewart". ESPN. Retrieved July 20, 2019.
  19. ^ "Isaiah Stewart, La Lumiere School, Center (BK)". 247Sports. Retrieved July 20, 2019.
  20. ^ Borzello, Jeff (January 21, 2019). "Isaiah Stewart, ranked No. 5 in ESPN 100, picks Washington". ESPN. Retrieved July 20, 2019.
  21. ^ Nutter, Gage (January 21, 2019). "With Washington commitment, Isaiah Stewart wanted to be 'different'". The Republican. Retrieved July 20, 2019.
  22. ^ "Washington rallies, stuns No. 16 Baylor 67-64 in Alaska". ESPN. Associated Press. November 9, 2019. Archived from the original on January 11, 2020. Retrieved November 11, 2019.
  23. ^ "Pac-12 announces 2019-20 Men's Basketball annual major awards". pac-12.com. March 9, 2020. Archived from the original on March 26, 2020. Retrieved March 9, 2020.
  24. ^ Givony, Jonathan (April 1, 2020). "Washington freshman Isaiah Stewart headed to NBA draft". ESPN. Retrieved April 1, 2020.
  25. ^ "TRAIL BLAZERS ACQUIRE ROBERT COVINGTON FROM HOUSTON". NBA.com. November 22, 2020.
  26. ^ "Detroit Pistons Complete Trade With Houston". NBA.com. November 24, 2020. Retrieved November 24, 2020.
  27. ^ "Detroit Pistons Sign Rookies Killian Hayes, Isaiah Stewart, Saddiq Bey and Saben Lee". NBA.com. December 1, 2020. Retrieved December 1, 2020.
  28. ^ "LeBron bloodies Stewart; both ejected after tussle". ESPN.com. November 22, 2021. Retrieved November 22, 2021.
  29. ^ "Lakers' LeBron James, Pistons' Isaiah Stewart ejected following fight". Fox News. November 21, 2021. Retrieved November 22, 2021.
  30. ^ "LeBron James, Isaiah Stewart Suspended for Roles in Lakers-Pistons Altercation". BleacherReport.com. November 22, 2021. Retrieved November 22, 2021.
  31. ^ "James L. Edwards III on Twitter: "Looks like Isaiah Stewart may be done for the season, as well"". Twitter. Retrieved March 9, 2023.
  32. ^ "Pistons, Isaiah Stewart agree on 4-year, $64 million extension".
  33. ^ "Pistons' Isaiah Stewart arrested for assault after punching Suns' Drew Eubanks before game". CBSSports.com. February 15, 2024. Retrieved February 15, 2024.
  34. ^ "Isaiah Stewart II". FIBA. Retrieved July 19, 2019.
  35. ^ "France v USA boxscore". FIBA. July 9, 2018. Retrieved July 19, 2019.
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