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Jan 23, 2021; Louisville, KY, USA; Duke Blue Devils guard DJ Steward (2) passes the ball away from Louisville Cardinals guard David Johnson (13) during a NCAA basketball game at the KFC Yum! Center. Mandatory Credit: Scott Utterback-USA TODAY Sports
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Jan 23, 2021; Louisville, KY, USA; Duke Blue Devils guard DJ Steward (2) passes the ball away from Louisville Cardinals guard David Johnson (13) during a NCAA basketball game at the KFC Yum! Center. Mandatory Credit: Scott Utterback-USA TODAY Sports
The Duke Blue Devils are one of the best colleges in the country when it comes to player development. With their one and done approach, they aim to help their players by offering them the tools of the trade within a year.
So after just one season, players leave for the NBA. DJ Steward, one of their best players from the 2020-21 season is now taking a similar step.
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Although he had little success with the Blue Devils, Steward feels he is now ready for the NBA. He has declared for the 2021 Draft and is likely to be a late 1st-round pick.
Despite playing more shooting guard this season, Steward wants to be able to play point guard too. In fact, he is modeling his game after a young and exciting point guard from the NBA.
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Apr 2, 2021; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12) handles the ball against Minnesota Timberwolves guard Jordan McLaughlin (6) during the first half at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports
During a recent interview, Steward revealed that he was modeling his game after Grizzlies star Ja Morant. He said, “We have the same body type.
“We both play with a little flash. He has a lot of confidence. He can score well from all three levels and I love how he gets all of his teammates involved.”
Steward also mentioned that he feels his “natural position is point guard” and he can play well there too. At 6’2, Steward is undersized to play as a shooting guard so this move could be for the best.
From Duke Blue Devils to the NBA, can DJ Steward transition well?
On paper, Steward’s stats from the 2020-21 season don’t stand out. He averaged 13 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per game. Those are decent numbers for a second scoring option.
He shot 42% from the field and 34% from three, both which are likely to see improvements as he enters the NBA. College players hamper their FG% with poor shot taking which improves as they mature in the big leagues.
Although he wasn’t able to showcase his playmaking ability a lot, Steward is an underrated passer who can pick out the open man smartly. If he works on this skill, he will be a valuable combo guard to any team that drafts him.
He is a great athlete and can finish adeptly at the rim. His athleticism helps him on defense too, but he needs to work on that front as well.
Steward has the potential to a solid backup guard in the NBA, and he will be one to watch out for in the 2021 NBA Draft.
READ MORE: ‘Could Feel the Love’: New Recuit AJ Griffin Reveals What Drew Him to Joining the Duke Blue Devils
