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Zion Williamson Record Bites the Dust as Duke Guard, Who Is an NBA Vet’s Son, Smashes the Ceiling of Unreal Human Athleticism

Published 09/25/2023, 2:40 AM EDT

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USA Today via Reuters

Duke University commands hold a preeminent position in the world of college basketball. With a record of 16 Final Four appearances and 5 national championships, it exudes a basketball culture that transcends the ordinary. Signifying its foundation is the fact that its coach, Mike Krzyzewski, was called to lead the USA’s Redeem Team in the Olympics, adding a dimension to the perception of colleges being promising grounds for NBA talent. Over the years, Duke has been a prolific factory of more than 90 NBA stars, with names like Kyrie Irving, Zion Williamson, and Jayson Tatum gracing its roster.

Recently, Duke men’s basketball shared glimpses of another rising star in its squad. The 18-year-old sensation made headlines by shattering a record previously held by Zion Williamson. Furthermore, the state factored in, making Zion Williamson an early sensation among college and NBA fans.

Sean Stewart breaks the vert record set by Zion Williamson

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Sean Stewart comes to the Blue Devils with a remarkable journey. The towering 6’9″ Windermere High School prospect, including Duke, had plenty of offers in line. His decision came from something more than career aspirations; it was also fueled by his genuine affection for Duke’s rich basketball culture, which he first witnessed when he was 9.

In a recent feat that leaves the basketball world buzzing, the 18-year-old etches his name into the program’s history. In the hallowed halls of the Blue Devils’ practice facility, Stewart achieved a remarkable standing vertical leap of 36.0 inches. His jump bested the previous record set by Zion Williamson with a 35.5-inch vert.

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Stewart stands nearly 3 inches taller than Zion Williamson. However, he boasts a jaw-dropping leap and exhibits a quick and explosive bounce like Zion.

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Yet, Stewart’s stellar preseason testing comes as no surprise. Even before joining Duke, he had connections with elite basketball circles. He played a pivotal role in Team USA’s quest for gold in the 2022 FIBA U-17 World Cup; delivering a double-double performance in the medal game. Adding to his basketball pedigree is his father, Michael Stewart, who is a former NBA veteran.

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Stewart’s father played 8 seasons in the NBA

Sean Stewart has basketball in his blood ever since his birth. His father, Michael, enjoyed an illustrious eight-year career in the NBA. However, he did not have it easy. After being undrafted, Stewart began his career with a one-year contract with the Sacramento Kings in 1997. It was a huge step for Michael as he once served as a ball boy for the Kings in his youth.

Michael led the franchise in blocks as a rookie while ranking second among all NBA rookies. His best game came when he swatted away nine shots. Michael’s last season came with the Atlanta Hawks. Furthermore, he made three playoff appearances with the Toronto Raptors and the Boston Celtics.

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Sean was born during the end of his father’s playing career. Despite not witnessing his father in action, Sean has his father’s support and work ethic. Over the years, Michael has been a fortunate source of guidance and wisdom for Sean, with his veteran knowledge at his disposal.

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Written by:

Saahil Dhillan

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Saahil Dhillan is an NBA Writer at Essentially Sports. He has been writing articles and blogs for 5 years now, including those for a sports brand that manufactures knee braces, for a Red Bull athlete in 2019 and for a documentary of an Ultra Running Coach in 2021. There’s plenty Saahil can write about why he likes basketball, having followed the NBA for more than 10 years, but he is most keen on picking out various offense/defense strategies, on/off-court decisions, roster changes in crunch time and other underrated key elements that leave an impact on the scoreboard.
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Edited by:

Sameen Nawathe