Young star Steward picks Duke
DJ Steward knew Duke was interested. The Blue Devils’ coaching staff started poking around with the Young star very early in his career, keeping tabs on his progress and staying involved in his recruitment.
While Steward was being courted by Texas, Louisville, Illinois and others since last year, the recruiting process with Duke was always evolving. But he was never 100 percent sure that a scholarship offer was looming.
Steward began talking with fivestar recruit Jalen Johnson, one of the top five players in the country in the Class of 2020, who had committed to Duke in July. Steward said Johnson kept assuring him that an offer was coming.
Steward shined at the prestigious Nike Peach Jam, and Duke soon made an offer.
“It was a great feeling when they did,” Steward said.
But Steward already had a lengthy recruiting process and relationship with Texas and coach Shaka Smart. He had taken two visits to Texas. Louisville was also an emerging contender. Duke, however, took its recruitment to another level in the last week.
The entire staff — coach Mike Krzyzewski and all of his assistants — showed up for Steward’s first fall open gym Sept. 10.
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen four coaches show up like that before,” Steward said. “We had a great conversation during the visit at school last week. We talked about so many different things. After that meeting, I was so excited to get down there to visit, to get my eyes on it.”
He then quietly shuttled off to Duke for an official visit last weekend, which turned out to be the final piece the state’s top-ranked senior prospect needed to make a decision.
Steward committed to the Blue Devils and the legendary Krzyzewski on Wednesday, though he knew exactly where he wanted to go just before boarding his plane back to Chicago on Sunday.
“Before getting on the plane to come home, I told my family this was it, this was where I wanted to be,” Steward said. “I knew this was the best decision for me and my future after being down there. Duke is a prestigious school, both academically and athletically.”
Steward will become the second Young star to play at Duke in the last five years. Jahlil Okafor led Duke to a national championship as a freshman in 2015 after leading Young to a state title in 2014.
“It’s definitely been a dream of mine to play at the highest level and on the biggest stage,” Steward said. “And to be able to play at Duke and play for Coach K? I have a belief that he can help make me a better player and person. With everything they do there, it’s an NBA-ready program, both on and off the court.”
The 6-3 combo guard is ranked 26th and 31st in the country by 247Sports and Rivals.com, respectively. The smooth shot-maker has put together a high-profile and productive career in his three years.
He led Fenwick in scoring and to a state runner-up finish in Class 3A as a freshman. After a stellar sophomore campaign, Steward transferred to Young, where he put together an all-state season, averaging 24.3 points and 3.2 assists.
Last summer, he was one of the leading scorers on the Nike EYBL circuit and vaulted up the national rankings.