Busting Brackets
Fansided

Duke Basketball: Breaking down the 2020 recruiting class

By Lukas Harkins

DURHAM, NORTH CAROLINA - MARCH 07: General view of Cameron Indoor Stadium before the game between the Duke Blue Devils and the North Carolina Tar Heels on March 07, 2020 in Durham, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
DURHAM, NORTH CAROLINA - MARCH 07: General view of Cameron Indoor Stadium before the game between the Duke Blue Devils and the North Carolina Tar Heels on March 07, 2020 in Durham, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /
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FORT MYERS, FLORIDA – DECEMBER 19: Steward of Whitney Young in action. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
FORT MYERS, FLORIDA – DECEMBER 19: Steward of Whitney Young in action. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

D.J. Steward – Chicago, IL

CG | 6-foot-3 | 165 lbs | No. 24 overall

Arguably the best pure scorer in Duke’s incoming freshmen class, D.J. Steward is well-known for his ability to fill it up. He might not bring prototypical two-guard size for a five-star recruit at 6-foot-3, but can definitely hold his own at that spot due to his athleticism and ball-handling ability.

While not a superb playmaker, he has solid instincts in that area and is unselfish. He can also beat his man off the dribble and is a dangerous scoring threat as soon as he crosses halfcourt.

While playing for Whitney Young High School in Chicago, Steward formed an elite backcourt duo with Georgetown commit Tyler Beard. Over the course of his senior year, he solidified his placement as a Top 25 player in the class and a McDonald’s All-American. Steward plays with a great motor and has the chance to be one of Duke’s most impactful players as a freshman.

While Steward brings a lot of skill to the court, it is his shooting that will need to translate to the collegiate level most. Duke’s 2020-21 roster is definitely loaded with talent, but a potential lack of consistent 3-point shooting is once again a concern. That is where Steward can make his biggest impact. He is highly regarded as an excellent shooter both off the bounce and in catch-and-shoot situations. Steward moves well to create looks for himself and knocks them down at a high rate.

If Steward can be a knockdown threat from beyond the arc right away, that would greatly affect Duke’s prospects for this coming season. Floor spacing is paramount to success in the modern game, especially for a team that features some elite slashers and solid big men. Quality shooting will also allow Steward to be heavily involved in the offense as he can attack closeouts as well.

When Steward arrives in Durham, he will pair with Jeremy Roach (FR) and Jordan Goldwire (SR) to form a dynamic backcourt trio. His shooting might be difficult to leave out of the starting lineup, but at the very least he should be expected to be a super sixth man for the Blue Devils next year. Showcasing improvement as a playmaker and defender at both guard spots will be crucial in his development, but he can certainly score it.

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