Determined Duke Basketball One-And-Done Agrees to Deal With Celtics

Duke basketball's DJ Steward has a chance to build on his recently promising efforts.

Matt Giles | Aug 13, 2023

Determined Duke Basketball One-And-Done Agrees to Deal With Celtics /

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Duke Blue Devils

Former Duke basketball one-and-done DJ Steward was impressive last month for the Philadelphia 76ers in Summer League play, capping it off with a highly efficient 36-point outing. And now, he has agreed to a training camp deal with the Boston Celtics and will vie for a two-way contract, ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported on Saturday.

A training camp deal is nothing new for Steward. He signed them with the Sacramento Kings in his first two years as a pro. But he has never converted one into a spot on an NBA roster in the regular season.

In the first go-round, the undersized shooting guard saw action in only one preseason game before getting the boot. Then last year, the Kings, at the time looking to secure him for their G League affiliate, the Stockton Kings, waived Steward days after signing him in September, before training camp began.

So perhaps the mere 21-year-old will capitalize on his opportunity this year to impress a different team in the Celtics.

Celtics are bringing in DJ Steward to training camp ☘️

The 21-year-old 6-foot-1 guard will compete for Celtics lone open two-way spot. He averaged 16.2 PPG (53.7 FG% & 47.6 3P%) in this year's Las Vegas Summer League, including a 36-point game against Pelicans.

Here's some 🎞️: pic.twitter.com/EgNXGxHPpv
— Tomek Kordylewski (@Timi_093) August 13, 2023

It might help that Duke basketball product Jayson Tatum is the franchise centerpiece in Boston. That's not to mention the Celtics' recent addition of former Blue Devil national champ and assistant Amile Jefferson to their coaching staff.

DJ Steward went undrafted in 2021 despite averaging 13.0 points, 3.9 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 1.1 steals for the Blue Devils on his way to becoming an ACC All-Freshman selection.

His G League stats, including 13.1 points per game across his two seasons with the Stockton Kings, are similar to his college numbers. But it's worth pointing out Steward's marked improvement last season in one crucial department for perimeter weapons, as he shot 40.5 percent beyond the arc.

Stay tuned to Blue Devil Country on SI.com for daily doses of Duke basketball news.

Published Aug 13, 2023

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.