Introducing under-the-radar junior Kaleb Stewart
In the coming weeks, we will be looking at several under-the-radar prospects that were primed to use the travel circuit to boost their recruiting stock this summer. Now, with grassroots basketball on hold as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, these prospects may not get the exposure in the coming months as they would have otherwise.
Today, we take a look at Kaleb Stewart.
WHO IS HE?
Stewart is a 6-foot-3 guard from Lacey, Washington, that moved to Texas in the first grade. He brings good size to the backcourt and can play either guard position and on both sides of the floor.
Planning to run with the Houston Hoops 17-under unit on the Nike EYBL circuit for the first time this summer, Stewart just completed his junior high season that saw him be named his district’s MVP, the second straight year that he received such an honor.
He has also been named first team all-district each season during his high school career and is someone that his high school coach, David Martinez, who also coached former Purdue standout Carsen Edwards at Atascocita, believes that his best is still to come.
“I am surprised he has just one offer, too. He played great at last summer’s NCAA Regional Camp in July, and we were expecting for his recruitment to really improve based off of that,” Martinez said. “He has a lot of the tools and I believe that he has a chance, too. I really do.”
RECRUITING SNAPSHOT
Stewart is not someone that has many colleges to choose from but there is a number of programs showing interest which could have evolved into offers if the live periods were still intact this month.
Besides his lone offer from North Texas, a group of others including Colorado State, Georgia State, Montana State, MTSU, Princeton, South Dakota State, Utah State, UTSA, and Wichita State have shown interest. He has also taken unofficial visits to North Texas, Texas A&M and Texas State within the past year.
WHY I LIKE HIM
Stewart is someone that grows on you the more you watch him. He doesn’t immediately jump out with his athleticism, shot making or an electric first step but it is all there. He is sneaky quick off of the dribble-drive and knows when to rely on his hidden burst, is explosive whenever he needs to be at the basket and can throw in a number of perimeter jumpers whenever the time permits.
He brings great size to the backcourt and seems entirely comfortable playing on and off the ball. Whether it is creating for himself or for others, Stewart can do as such even with pressure applied. He is a wizard with the ball in the open floor and can deliver pin-point passes when on the move.
There are quality instincts in store, too, someone that plays the passing lanes well and is a solid on the ball defender that has the size and quickness to remain in front of either guard spot along the perimeter. He has to become a less streaky jump shooter but is capable of knocking down ill-footed catch and shoot attempts, off of the dribble jumpers and rhythm 3s when left open.
I am not sure if he is a high-major prospect entirely just yet but with the progression rate that he has shown, the numbers that he continues to produce and the strong coaching foundation supporting him thanks to the presence of David Martinez at Atascocita, he is, at the least, a strong mid-major prospect that, if the travel season does begin, could see his stock really improve as he gets the chance to compete against the best.