Player Recap: DJ Stewart

DJ Stewart was a nonstop highlight reel for Sioux Falls, and he was a mainstay in the team's success all season.

In 40 total games for the Skyforce, he posted 21.5 points (which was second on the team) on 48.9 percent shooting, 4.3 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.2 steals per 36.7 minutes a game.

”I love Sioux Falls," Stewart said of his time with the Force. "They treat us like we are LeBron. It’s like the only professional team here right. The only professional basketball team so it’s big for them and it’s big for us and they help us on the court when we hear them cheering us on. It really helps us and I appreciate that.”

On Nov. 10, Stewart secured 37 points on 14-20 FGA (4-6 3PA), five rebounds and four assists against Fort Wayne and followed that up with 25 points and 21 points in the following games.

DJ posted 35 points on 11-18 FGA (3-4 3PA) and four rebounds on Nov. 26, and like his previous 35-plus point outing, he followed the next two games up with 24 points and 27 points.

He would go on to score 20-plus points in five of the last eight Showcase Cup games, highlighted by 31 points on 11-21 FGA, four rebounds and five assists at the Winter Showcase on Dec. 20 against Greensboro.

In his first six regular season games, Stewart scored 20-plus points five times and posted 32 points in a sweep of the RGV Vipers on Jan. 7, where he would add seven rebounds and seven assists.

On Jan. 13, DJ had a season-high 41 points on 16-28 FGA, five rebounds, five assists and four steals in a much needed victory at Santa Cruz.

As the regular season winded down, he scored 20-plus points five times from Jan. 15 through February. On Mar. 6, he had 36 points on 15-23 FGA and a game winner to secure a must-win game in terms of the NBA G League playoffs.

"We're very excited," Stewart said of the Skyforce reaching the playoffs for the first time since 2015-16. "Being here last year and going through what was an up-and-down season and then not getting the chance (for the playoffs), and now this year seeing this big turnaround and having a chance to play for a championship — it's very exciting."

He provided when it was needed most in the playoffs, as well. In the opening round against Salt Lake City, DJ secured 20 points on 8-18 FGA and seven rebounds, as he followed it up with 27 points, six rebounds and four assists in the semifinal thriller at Stockton.

In his second season with Sioux Falls, Stewart showed consistency and was a threat on both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball. The future is extremely bright for the Mississippi State product.