Blue Devil Country

Former Duke basketball one-and-done taking talents to Canada

Duke basketball's DJ Steward is not an NBA player, but time is on his side.

Matt Giles

Former Duke basketball one-and-done taking talents to Canada
Former Duke basketball one-and-done taking talents to Canada /
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Since going undrafted in 2021 following a one-and-done Duke basketball campaign, DJ Steward has not played in an NBA game. But the 6-foot-2, 165-pound guard has seen action for the Sacramento Kings in Summer League, playing nine games between the past two years, and made one appearance in the 2021-22 preseason.

RELATED: Stacking up every Duke one-and-done in history

This summer, though, Steward is heading to Canada as a member of the Vancouver Bandits in the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL). The team, which tips off its season on May 27 and will host the league's Championship Weekend the second week of August, announced his signing on Thursday.

"I am counting down until my arrival in Vancouver," DJ Steward said. "I can't wait to play in front of the Bandits' fanbase and to get to work with my teammates and coaching staff. We are excited to play together and to showcase an elite brand of competitiveness fueled by intensity on both sides of the basketball."

Playing for the G League's Stockton Kings the past two seasons, Steward has recorded a career scoring average of 13.8 points across 58 games.

"DJ is a special young player with a world of potential," Bandits head coach and general manager Kyle Julius said about the mere 21-year-old. "He has elite scoring instincts and high-level athleticism. I am really excited about working with DJ and helping him grow and develop this summer."

Steward, a former McDonald's All-American from Chicago who arrived at Duke three summers ago as a five-star recruit boasting a No. 26 composite ranking, was a full-time starter for the 2020-21 Blue Devils. He played in every game that season, showing flashes of his hops and overall potential.

He earned a spot on the ACC All-Freshman Team after averaging 13.0 points, 3.9 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 1.1 steals per game while shooting 34.1 percent beyond the arc. However, that Duke basketball squad finished with a disappointing 13-11 record and is one of only two since 1984 to come up short of an NCAA Tournament bid.

RELATED: List of Duke's all-time McDonald's All-Americans

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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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