The official OKC Thunder Big board 1.0
By Rylan Stiles
5) Isaiah Stewart, C, Washington
Alright, back to college basketball let’s head to the PAC-12 with an interesting Washington squad headlined by Isaiah Stewart. The big man was ESPN’s third prospect in the 2019 recruiting class. The 6’9 245 pound big man received offers from Duke, Kentucky, and Michigan State before settling on Washington. Of course, the Rochester, N.Y. native was a McDonald’s All American and Jordan Brand Classic game participant.
Stewart is a lock to leave the Huskies following the year, and I could see him being a top 3 pick in the NBA Draft depending of course how the lottery shakes out. Team needs at times have as much to do with draft position selection as talent.
Stewart really needs to take a jump offensively, he lacks a go-to post scoring move and of course needs to improve at the line. A surprising struggle he has is holding onto the ball. Tying into his lack of post moves you often see him getting stripped of the basketball on the way to the cup.
Stewart has an incredible energizer-bunny-like ability to never be tired which is even more impressive for his size. He does not struggle on the glass, unlike some bigs in this class.
The 18-year-old will play in a few big games this year, including the biggest stage in March if the season goes to plan in Washington.
The Huskies have a huge test in game one against the Baylor Bears in the Armed Force Classic on Friday, Nov. 8th. The Bears pose a 6’10 counter to Stewart in Tristian Clark that will be a must-watch game out of the gates.
Factor in a battle with Gonzaga on DEC. 8th, and a conference slate that features two tilts with Arizona (Jan 30th. and Mar. 7th) and we will get to see just how good Stewart is.
Could the OKC Thunder go for a big man in the NBA Draft and have Steven Adams even more accessible on the trade block entering the final year of his deal? It would be interesting to think about.