Isaiah Stewart

Isaiah Stewart II was born on May 22, 2001, and grew up in Rochester, New York. From a young age, he displayed natural athleticism, originally gravitating towards soccer and boxing. However, it was in the fifth grade that he found his true passion – basketball. This shift in focus was inspired by his physical stature and natural abilities rather than a long-held fascination for the sport. Isaiah started playing organized basketball for the first time at the tender age of ten while still attending elementary school. By the time he was 12, he had already grown to 6 feet.

Isaiah’s early high school career took place at McQuaid Jesuit High School in New York. As a fourteen-year-old freshman, he stood at an impressive 6 feet 7 inches, showing promise for a future in basketball. His skill quickly became evident, and he averaged 18.5 points, 12.4 rebounds, and 3.1 blocks per game in his inaugural season. His impressive performance, including two consecutive 40-point games, saw him named as the Rochester City Athletic Conference player of the year.

Unfortunately, he experienced a serious setback in October 2016 when he broke his tailbone during trials for the Under-16 national team. The injury caused him to miss most of his sophomore season. Despite this setback, Isaiah came back strong, earning 35 points, 14 rebounds, and 6 blocks in his season debut in February 2017.

Entering his junior year, Isaiah transferred to the renowned La Lumiere School in Indiana, known for its prestigious basketball program. He averaged 19.8 points, and 11.2 rebounds per game, in 19 games that year, propelling his team to a 25-4 record and securing an honorable mention as a MaxPreps Junior All-American.

In his senior year, Isaiah continued to dominate on the court. He averaged 18.1 points, 11.3 rebounds, and 2.9 blocks per game, helping his team achieve a stellar 30-1 record. It was during this period that he won the prestigious Naismith Prep Player of the Year and Mr. Basketball USA awards. He also received recognition by being named to the USA Today All-USA first team and MaxPreps All-American second team.

Isaiah’s achievements didn’t stop there. He also participated in elite games like the McDonald’s All-American Game, Jordan Brand Classic, and Nike Hoop Summit. His performance in high school saw him ranked as a consensus five-star recruit and among the top five players in the 2019 class.

As Isaiah prepared to transition to college basketball, he was courted by prestigious schools like Duke, Kentucky, Michigan State, and Syracuse. However, he committed to playing for the University of Washington in January 2019, drawn to the school due to his longstanding relationship with Mike Hopkins.

The beginning of Isaiah’s college career was greeted with much anticipation as he and teammate Jaden McDaniels were seen as potential top three picks for the 2020 NBA draft. He made a splash in his debut game for the University of Washington, securing the game-winning basket against the Baylor Bears in the 2019 Armed Forces Classic.

In April 2020, Isaiah decided to declare for the NBA draft, forgoing his remaining college eligibility. He was picked 16th overall by the Portland Trail Blazers. However, subsequent trades saw him move first to the Houston Rockets before finally landing at the Detroit Pistons by the end of November 2020. The Pistons quickly signed him to his rookie contract.

A year into his professional basketball career, in November 2021, Isaiah was involved in an altercation with LeBron James during a game against the Los Angeles Lakers. His actions in the scuffle saw him suspended for two games. He recovered from this minor setback and continued to excel professionally, agreeing to a 4-year, $64 million contract extension with the Pistons in July 2023.

Beyond his own professional career, Isaiah has also represented his home country with pride. He played for the United States at the 2018 FIBA Under-17 Basketball World Cup in Argentina, helping his team secure the gold medal.

Isaiah’s father, Dela Stewart, emigrated from Jamaica to the United States in the 1970s. His paternal grandfather, a towering figure in his own right at 6 feet 9 inches, was a Jamaican fisherman and farmer. In a nod to his Jamaican roots, Isaiah proudly wears the number 33 basketball jersey, in honor of Jamaica’s legendary basketball player, Patrick Ewing.