Blue Devil Country

Bouncy Duke Basketball Rookie Breaks Zion Williamson's Program Record

The 2023-24 Duke basketball team may be one of the most athletic in the country.

Matt Giles

Duke basketball forward Sean Stewart (Maria Lysaker-USA TODAY Sports)
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Duke basketball newcomer Sean Stewart boasts quick, explosive bounce in the paint. That much was evident in the five-star prospect's high school mixtapes and trophy-winning performance in the dunk contest the day before the McDonald's All-American Game in late March.

Still, Stewart might have surprised folks in the Blue Devils' practice facility this week by setting a new program record with his 36.0-inch standing vertical leap.

The 6-foot-9, 225-pound power forward out of Montverde Academy (Fla.) bested the previous record, set by 2018-19 Blue Devil one-and-done and high-flying sensation Zion Williamson, by half an inch.

Duke announced the feat, along with a clip of Stewart's record-breaking bunny hop, on Sunday morning:

Note that Stewart, son of former eight-year NBA journeyman forward Michael Stewart and a neighbor to legendary Duke basketball leaper Grant Hill as a kid, isn't the only rookie in Durham posting impressive numbers during the Blue Devils' offseason testing.

Second-year head coach Jon Scheyer and his staff welcome three other heralded freshmen, each with uniquely notable athletic prowess.

After all, five-star forward TJ Power was an elite lefthanded pitcher as a prep and may try suiting up for the Duke baseball team in the spring. And five-star guard Caleb Foster is electric in the open court.

Then there's five-star guard Jared McCain, who exhibited his endurance and speed by recently flirting with the program's freshman record in the mile run. According to the following post, his 5:08 mark was four seconds slower than DeMarcus Nelson in 2004-05 and 18 seconds slower than record-holder Kyle Singler in 2007-08.

Duke's four first-rate rookies and eight returning scholarship players (including four returning starters from a squad that won the ACC Tournament) begin their season on Nov. 6 when they host Dartmouth in Cameron Indoor Stadium.

RELATED: Duke's Mark Mitchell Laughs at Outdated Injury Report

Stay tuned to Blue Devil Country on SI.com for more Duke basketball news.

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Matt Giles
MATT GILES

Matt Giles is the editor and publisher of Duke Blue Devils on SI, North Carolina Tar Heels on SI, and NC State Wolfpack on SI, making him a key source for comprehensive coverage of these storied college basketball programs. Since joining SI in 2022, Matt has been dedicated to providing in-depth analysis, breaking news, and exclusive content on all three teams. He covers everything from game previews and recaps to player profiles and recruiting updates. Matt's expert knowledge of these teams has made his work a go-to resource for fans and followers of Duke, NC State, and UNC. As publisher, he shapes the editorial direction, ensuring that the most relevant and timely information reaches his audience.

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