Washington Huskies basketball: Mock Draft Consensus on Jaden McDaniels and Isaiah Stewart 2.0
Isaiah Stewart, Washington Huskies. (Photo by Ron Sellers Flickr)
Isaiah Stewart – Forward/Center, 6-9, 250-pounds
- Highest draft spot – New Jersey, 19th
- Lowest draft spot – Undrafted
- Most common draft spot – Boston, 26th, and Toronto, 29th.
Judging by the wide difference in opinions, the jury is still out on Stewart. He was a force inside for the Washington Huskies last year. Stewart scored 17.0 points and pulled down 8.8 rebounds per game.
Scouting report
Scouts love Stewart’s high energy, physicality, and especially his 7-4 wingspan. He doesn’t shy away from doing the dirty work on the glass. Stewart is also an outstanding defensive player. Physically imposing in the low post, he treats the paint as if it belonged to him, and trespassers will be punished.
For as good as Stewart is down low, he doesn’t do nearly as well from further out. The first team All-Pac-12 center struggles with his shooting range in games. Additionally, Stewart doesn’t possess great athletic ability. With a premium on smaller and faster in the NBA, Stewart is a limited player at this point.
“He’s one of the most liked bigs by front offices due to his terrific work ethic and motor…Evaluators are also big believers in his ability to shoot the basketball. Folks who went up to Washington’s practices this season said that he was knocking shots down from distance with ease. He also hit 77 percent of his free throws. Ultimately though, Stewart will be a rim running, rim protecting 5 who rebounds it well and provides a tough interior presence.” – Sam Vecine, Athletic
Prospects 1.0
Mock drafters are as unsure about Stewart as they are McDaniels. Four mocks have Stewart headed to Boston at 26; two more predict the Celtics will select him at 30. He would fit in nicely with Boston’s board pounding, defensively strong team. Stewart is also predicted to go to the Raptors on four mock drafts. Toronto would be a great place to develop his game and find out how he fits into the NBA.
Other places Stewart might end up: 17th – Minnesota, 19th – Brooklyn, 22nd – Denver (2), 23rd – Utah (2), 24th Milwaukee, 25th – Oklahoma City (3), 31st – Dallas, and 36th – Philadelphia. Three mock drafts were one round only and didn’t have Stewart listed. There was also a two-round mock that didn’t select him at all, which is ridiculous.
It almost hurts to think how good the Washington Huskies basketball team would do this season if Stewart and McDaniels stuck around for another year.