DJ Steward facts for kids

DJ Steward (born October 2, 2001) is an American professional basketball player. He currently plays for the Memphis Hustle in the NBA G League. Before turning professional, he played college basketball for the Duke Blue Devils. DJ was considered one of the top shooting guards in his high school class. He finished his high school basketball career at Whitney M. Young Magnet High School in Chicago, Illinois.

High School Basketball Journey

DJ Steward started his high school journey at Fenwick High School in Oak Park, Illinois. In 2018, he moved to Whitney Young High School in Chicago. He played his final high school years there.

During the 2019 Nike EYBL circuit, DJ showed off his skills. He averaged 24.1 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game. In January 2020, he had an amazing game at the Highland Shootout. He scored 40 points, including the shot that tied the game, helping his team win 66–64. Because of his great performance, he was named a McDonald's All-American. This is a special honor for top high school players.

Choosing a College Team

On September 18, 2019, DJ Steward announced he would play college basketball at Duke University. Many top colleges wanted him to join their teams. These included DePaul, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa State, Louisville, North Carolina, and Texas. He chose Duke, which is known for its strong basketball program.

College Basketball Career

DJ Steward played one season for the Duke Blue Devils, during the 2020–21 season. He started in 22 games and played in 24 overall. As a guard, he averaged 13 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per game.

The Duke team finished that season with 13 wins and 11 losses. Their record in the ACC (Atlantic Coast Conference) was 9 wins and 9 losses. This was the first time since 1995 that the Blue Devils were not invited to the NCAA tournament.

Even though the team's season was not what Duke usually expects, DJ Steward had many great moments. In his very first college game on November 28, 2020, he scored 24 points. This helped Duke win 81–71 against Coppin State. On December 21, 2020, he was named the Atlantic Coast Conference rookie of the week. Later, on January 15, 2021, DJ scored 26 points and grabbed 6 rebounds in a 79–68 win over Wake Forest.

Professional Basketball Journey

After a successful first year at Duke, DJ Steward decided to become a professional player. He was 6 feet 2 inches tall. Some people thought he had the skills of a shooting guard but the body size of a point guard. This meant he might need to improve his point guard skills to play well in the NBA. Despite this, he decided to enter the NBA draft.

Playing for the Stockton Kings (2021–2023)

DJ Steward was not chosen in the 2021 NBA draft. However, he was invited to play for the Sacramento Kings in the 2021 NBA Summer League. On September 28, 2021, he signed a contract with the Kings. He was later released before the season began. Steward then joined the Stockton Kings of the NBA G League. He played for them as an affiliate player during the 2021–22 and 2022–23 seasons.

Time with the Vancouver Bandits (2023)

On April 6, 2023, DJ Steward signed with the Vancouver Bandits. This team plays in the Canadian Elite Basketball League. He left the Bandits on June 5 to get ready for the 2023 NBA Summer League. He played for the Philadelphia 76ers during that Summer League.

With the Maine Celtics (2023–2024)

On October 2, 2023, Steward signed with the Boston Celtics. However, he was released on October 20. Eight days later, he joined the Maine Celtics, which is the G League team connected to the Boston Celtics. He played for them until 2024.

Playing for the Windy City Bulls (2024)

On July 21, 2024, DJ Steward signed a two-way contract with the Chicago Bulls. This type of contract allows a player to play for both an NBA team and its G League team. However, he was released by the Bulls on December 28, 2024. During this time, he mainly played for the Windy City Bulls, which is the G League team for the Chicago Bulls.

Joining the Memphis Hustle (2025–present)

On January 6, 2025, DJ Steward joined the Memphis Hustle. He is currently playing for this team.

Personal Life and Background

DJ Steward's parents are Katicha Jackson-Williams and Danny Boy Steward. His stepfather is Tyrone Hill, who was also a professional basketball player. DJ is named after his father.

Besides basketball, DJ also played football when he was in high school. He has a brother named Trent. DJ grew up in Oak Park, Illinois, and went to Brooks Middle School. He attended Fenwick High School for his first two years, then transferred to Whitney Young for his last two years. He played travel basketball with a team called Meanstreets since middle school. He also played on the EYBL circuit, where he became even more well-known.