University of Washington freshman Isaiah Stewart has declared for the 2020 NBA draft, as he tells Jonathan Givony of ESPN. Although Stewart can test the waters while maintaining his remaining college eligibility, the big man sounds prepared to go pro, telling Givony he’ll sign with Roc Nation for representation.
“It feels weird to be declaring for the draft with all this going on,” Stewart told ESPN, referring to the coronavirus pandemic. “I understand that there are bigger issues going on in the world, but I also want to let people know what my plans are. I’m just trying to make this as much of an opportunity as possible and try to gain whatever edge I can.”
In his first college season, Stewart averaged 17.0 PPG, 8.8 RPG, and 2.1 BPG in 32 games (32.2 MPG) for the Huskies. He projects as a potential first-round pick, ranking 26th overall on ESPN’s big board of 2020 prospects. ESPN also places him third among centers, behind probable lottery selections James Wiseman and Onyeka Okongwu.
In his scouting report on Stewart, ESPN’s Mike Schmitz praises the youngster’s size, frame, and strength, along with his willingness to “do the little things” such as setting hard screens. Schmitz cautions that Stewart struggles to defend on the perimeter and doesn’t have the leaping ability that would make him a great “natural rim protector.”