One of the catalysts of Mississippi State’s backcourt will not return for his junior season.
After entering his name in the NBA draft process last month but retaining college eligibility by not signing an agent, D.J. Stewart has officially decided to sign an agent and permanently stay in the draft, according to a report from 247Sports’ Paul Jones. Stewart could have decided to delay his decision all the way until 10 days before July’s NBA draft if he so chose, which is what MSU coach Ben Howland told reporters he expected to happen when speaking in April.
Last season, Stewart, a redshirt sophomore, averaged 16 points, 3.4 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game. The 6-foot-6 guard rotated between playing the point, the two and three spots for the Bulldogs last season. Perhaps his biggest moment for MSU came after making a game-winning 3-pointer at the buzzer against Richmond in the NIT quarterfinals in March.
According to NBAdraft.net, Stewart is projected to go 45th overall to the Detroit Pistons. Should Stewart be drafted, it would mark the third straight year MSU had a player selected in the NBA draft, after Quinndary Weatherspoon was selected by the San Antonio Spurs in 2019 and Robert Woodard was taken by the Sacramento Kings and Reggie Perry was selected by the Brooklyn Nets in 2020.
Stewart’s absence will be the second departing starter along with senior center Abdul Ado from last year’s team that finished as the NIT runner up. The Bulldogs landed impact transfers Garrison Brooks and D.J. Jeffries to help fill some of those roles and replace outgoing transfer Deivon Smith, and will have two scholarships remaining to offer for next year’s roster.
It is expected MSU may have an easier time recruiting backcourt players from the transfer portal due to Stewart’s absence because his departure means a starting spot will be up for grabs.
Hodge is the former sports editor for The Dispatch.
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