The Husky Haul
Fansided

Washington basketball’s Stewart goes 16th overall

By Roman Tomashoff

Mar 14, 2020; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Washington Huskies forward Isaiah Stewart (33) is pictured returning to the bench during the second half against the Arizona Wildcats at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 14, 2020; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Washington Huskies forward Isaiah Stewart (33) is pictured returning to the bench during the second half against the Arizona Wildcats at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

Washington basketball’s best player from the 2019-20 season has found a home in the NBA with the Detroit Pistons!

While Washington basketball didn’t have the best year during Isaiah Stewart’s one season on campus, Stewart proved a lot to NBA scouts. The 6’9 forward was one of the best players in the Pac-12, and stuffed the stat sheet on a nightly basis. He averaged 17 points and 8.8 rebounds per game, which were good for seventh and second respectively in the conference.

Stewart is probably one of the safest prospects in this draft, and fell due to his old-school style of play. He’s a double-double machine who won’t back down from any challenge on the inside, and has the strength to fight for the ball on the interior. He also has a remarkably fluid jump shot for a big man, and will continue to develop it as he develops his game at the NBA level.

On the defensive end, it’s more of the same for Stewart. He never backs down from a challenge and knows how to high point the basketball when it comes out of a shooter’s hand. He finished third in the Pac-12 in blocks with 66, and proved he was at his best when the competition was at it’s highest. He held the 6th overall pick in the draft, Onyeka Okongwu, to just 10 points in their only meeting.

He’ll be getting a great teacher with the Pistons in Blake Griffin, who might not play the same style, but developed a jump shot later in his career. A consistent jumper is the only thing Stewart needs to add to his game to reach his full potential. At his peak, he can be just like Al Horford, who year in and year out averages close to a double-double.

Stewart will be part of an accelerated rebuild in Detroit, as the Pistons have been wheeling and dealing and have now also added power forward Saddiq Bey and point guard Killian Hayes on the night to infuse youth and talent to their roster.

Home/Basketball