A second five-star talent is in the fold for Ohio State's frontcourt.
Duke's Sean Stewart committed to the Buckeyes on Friday, selecting OSU over Georgetown and Cincinnati.
LETS GET TO WORK !! @TheFoundation1_ @OhioStateHoops pic.twitter.com/w8nQVN39IF
— Sean Stewart (@Sean13Stewart) May 3, 2024
Stewart was a five-star prospect in the class of 2023 per the 247Sports composite rankings. The No. 17 recruit overall in the nation, Stewart was considered the fifth-best power forward in his class. He's No. 62 in this year's 247Sports transfer portal rankings.
The Stewart File
- Year: Sophomore
- Size: 6-9/227
- Pos: Power Forward
- School: Duke (2023-24)
- Stats: 2.6 PPG, 3.2 RPG, 0.5 BPG
He joins former Kentucky center Aaron Bradshaw as the second second-year five-star prospect to join Ohio State's ranks from the transfer portal this offseason.
Playing behind star frontcourt pieces Kyle Filipowski and Mark Mitchell, Stewart played sparingly in his freshman campaign at Duke. In just 8.3 minutes per game he posted 2.6 points, 3.2 rebounds, 0.5 steals and 0.5 blocks.
Per 40 minutes Stewart produced 12.7 points, 15.3 rebounds, 2.5 steals and 2.3 blocks. Each of those numbers exceeded the rates of Ohio State's starting center last year, Felix Okpara – who has since transferred to Tennessee – with the exception of blocks, where Okpara recorded four per 40 minutes.
Stewart shot 57.1% from the field but didn't attempt a 3-pointer in his freshman season. He posted double-figures in two games, scoring 16 against La Salle on Nov. 21 and 12 against NC State on March 4.
Ohio State was among the first batch of schools to reach out to him, having finished second in his recruitment out of high school. Diebler served as his primary recruiter and that previous relationship went a long way in closing the deal the second time around. Sean's father, Michael Stewart, told Eleven Warriors that Diebler's designs and development track for Sean – alongside the coach's character and authenticity – were major draws.
"He laid out a comprehensive plan for how he can help Sean achieve some of his basketball goals," Michael Stewart said. "I think that with the other guys they have on the team, there's an immediate fit. There's a need. And I think Sean can slide in at any capacity and help Ohio State achieve some of their goals."
Sean visited Ohio State on Saturday before his commitment. He also reportedly took visits to Georgetown and Cincinnati.
Stewart possesses relatively average height for a power forward at 6-9 but his leaping ability and elite athleticism allow him to play above that size, as he broke Zion Williamson's school record for standing vertical leap at Duke by jumping 36 inches.
Ohio State has one available scholarship left, which it intends to use to add more frontcourt depth behind Bradshaw, Stewart and sophomore Devin Royal.
BM#GoBucks
— Jake Diebler (@JakeDiebler) May 3, 2024
