DJ Steward: A Humble Reflection on His Time at Duke

DJ Steward, the former Duke basketball player, has been reflecting on his time at Duke and the decisions he made after leaving college. In a recent documentary preview, Steward opened up about his experiences and the lessons he’s learned.

A Promising Freshman Campaign

Steward arrived at Duke as a five-star prospect and delivered an encouraging freshman campaign. He averaged 13.0 points, 3.9 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 1.1 steals per game as a full-time starter for the Blue Devils. Despite his promising start, Steward declared for the NBA draft and went undrafted.

Steward in action during his freshman campaign

A Humble Reflection

In the documentary preview, Steward concedes that his decision to leave Duke early may not have been the best move. He admits to being naive and not knowing his place in the basketball world. Steward has come to terms with his decision and has used it as an opportunity to grow and learn.

“I was a person who went to Duke University from Chicago. And being a top recruited player around the country was something that I didn’t really take heed of at the time. You know, I didn’t know how big that was and how that would play out into my career. I don’t want to say that it hurt me, because my work ethic didn’t ever stop. It was never my work ethic — maybe really thinking too big of myself and not being humble and not knowing my exact place of who I was as a person, a player.”

Steward’s journey has not been easy, but he has shown admirable humility in reflecting on his experiences. He has spent time with several franchises via short-term contracts and has produced promising stats in the G League.

Steward in action in the G League

A Lesson Learned

Steward’s story serves as a reminder that even the most talented players can benefit from humility and self-awareness. His journey is a testament to the importance of perseverance and hard work.

Steward reflecting on his experiences