pic credit MSU

D.J Stewart Jr is a 24 year old 198cm forward from Mississippi that is playing his third professional season and first overseas with Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana (Slovenia-Liga Nova KBM). Last season he played with the Sioux Falls Skyforce (NBA G League) averaging 20.9ppg, 4.3rpg, 3.3apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 52.5%, 3PT: 34.0%, FT: 69.8% and with Marineros de Puerto Plata (Dominican Rep.-LNB) averaging 9.8ppg, 2.6rpg, 1.4apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 41.9%, 3PT: 21.7%, FT: 88.9%. He split his rookie season with the Sioux Falls Skyforce (NBA G League) averaging 17.8ppg, 5.4rpg, 2.9apg, 1.6spg, FGP: 49.7%, 3PT: 38.2%, FT: 71.7%, and with the Austin Spurs (NBA G League) averaging 14.4ppg, 3.0rpg, 2.9apg, FGP: 50.0%, 3PT: 32.7%, FT: 81.0%. He began his basketball career at Riverside High School and then played 2 years at Mississippi State University (NCAA) averaging 8.5ppg, 2.5rpg, 1.6apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 53.8%, 3PT: 31.2%, FT: 70.0% and 16.0ppg, 3.4rpg, 3.1apg, 1.4spg, FGP: 44.2%, 3PT: 34.4%, FT: 80.6%. He spoke to germanhoops.com before a Eurocup game against the Hamburg Towers.

Thanks DJ for talking to germanhoops.com. Your one of those rare non NBA guys that went pro after 2 years in the NCAA. Do you ever wonder what may have happened had you played 2 more years in the NCAA and be a rookie now?

Thanks for having me. I really don’t think much about it because nobody really knows what would’ve happened but God and maybe if I did go back and I would’ve probably gotten drafted, then again if I would went back and had a serious injury? I think me leaving after my second year in college was best for me to go and develop in the NBA style of play in the G-league I took my chances betting on myself knowing that I belong.

You put up really good stats in both G-League seasons. Do you feel like the NBA let you down. You played at 3 NBA Summer Leagues. Is that a reason why you chose to come overseas?

I don’t feel like the NBA let me down, everything has to be the right timing for you to be in the right situation at the moment and when it’s not it doesn´t mean that you’re not good enough or belong it’s just not the right timing so you just have to stay motivated and waiting for your turn and your calling. I chose overseas because I feel like I can have a great career in overseas as well. The NBA is still my main goal but I can make a living and support my family overseas making good money doing what I love to do why not ?

After 2 years in the G-League you are overseas for the first time this season playing with Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana (Slovenia-Liga Nova KBM). What kind of an adjustment has it been coming from the United States to Slovenia?

I would say the main adjustment is spacing and how crowded the painted area be on the floor without the 3 seconds in the key like NBA. I would say learning the time windows on when to attach the defense.

How often have basketball folk in Slovenia asked you about Luka Doncic? Is he like a basketball God in Slovenia?

I haven’t really gotten any Luka questions. But they definitely love him for sure.

It has been a tale of 2 extremes concerning the ABA league and Eurocup. In ABA the team is 13-2 an d in the Eurocup 0-13. What has been the problem in Eurocup? The team allows way too many points, but it has also lost a lot of very close games?

They are both tough leagues and eurocup we just had to learn to finish games out all 13 losses maybe 3-4 of those that we just completely lost but most of them has been hard fought battles that we have to overcome and come out victorious in the end. I say we just have to learn how to finish games.

What has it been like playing with veteran Justin Cobbs. He has been overseas now a decade. Is he a guy that has shown you the ropes? And what do you appreciate most about his game?

It has been fun playing beside him and asking questions about being overseas and picking his brain. I appreciate the mid range game he got because that is something in my game that we can relate on but I love the midrange game too.

You have needed no real adjustment time putting up very solid stats in the ABA and Eurocup. What have you enjoyed most about the European style of play?

I love how the ball moves side to side and everybody being involved on every trip down the court

Your shooting your best ever from outside in the ABA. What do you believe has been your secret for your accuracy from downtown?

Being in the gym getting up reps and building confidence.

You’re a very versatile player. Is that Swiss army knife a good description for your play and what kind of player do you still want to become?

I really feel like I have everything you want as a player I would saying become more consistent of a shooter and just perfecting the things that I am already good at doing.

Last season you played with the Sioux Falls Skyforce (NBA G League) averaging 20.9ppg, 4.3rpg, 3.3apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 52.5%, 3PT: 34.0%, FT: 69.8%. You scored 20 points or more 25 times including 4 times 35 points or more and had a 41 point explosion. Do you ever feel like you were close to a NBA call up?

I mean I feel like I deserved one but I didn’t so I just had to keep pushing and pray and hope that I was going to get one.

What was it like being teammates with Justin Champagnie? He plays your position and has had stints in the NBA. The competitiveness must have been huge?

We definitely competed in practice everyday when we did have practice. Iron sharpens iron. Of course we were able push to make each other to get better.

You split your rookie season with the Sioux Falls Skyforce (NBA G League) averaging
17.8ppg, 5.4rpg, 2.9apg, 1.6spg, FGP: 49.7%, 3PT: 38.2%, FT: 71.7%, in Mar.’22 signed at Austin Spurs (NBA G
League) averaging 14.4ppg, 3.0rpg, 2.9apg, FGP: 50.0%, 3PT: 32.7%, FT: 81.0%. What do you remember being your wake up call to being in the G-League where you knew that you were far away from home?

Coming out college you kind of get used to not being at home so it really wasn’t a big change for me.

You had the chance to be teammates with NBA champion Mario Chalmers who did it with the Miami Heat. I´m sure you attempted to soak up as much as possible form him. How do you remember him and what were the key tips he gave you?

Definitely was my big bro and I still keep in contact with him up until this day. Always picking his
brain and he sharing knowledge his part of being a great basketball player in the NBA.

You played at Mississippi State University (NCAA) from 2019-2021 playing 63 NCAA games and averaging 8.5ppg, 2.5rpg, 1.6apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 53.8%, 3PT: 31.2%, FT: 70.0% and in your senior year averaged 16.0ppg, 3.4rpg, 3.1apg, 1.4spg, FGP: 44.2%, 3PT: 34.4%, FT: 80.6%. You made a huge jump in your game in your second year. How did your game grow there most?

I’ll say just opportunity really played a part in my jump and me staying in the gym wanting to be the best. Getting reps in practice and proving to coach that I deserve to be on the floor.

In your freshman season you scored 15 points against NCAA powerhouse Kentucky. What memories do you have playing against guys like Immanuel Quickly and Tyrese Maxey?

I’m bad when it comes to basketball memories but always fun to compete with other high level players from different teams.

In your second season you beat Kentucky 74-73 scoring 9 points. Was that one of your most memorable wins in the NCAA?

I wouldn’t say my most but it’s definitely one of them. MSU beating Kentucky for the fist time since Calipari was there so it was a big one.

In the NIT tournament you had incredible games against St Louis, Richmond and Louisiana Tech, but lost to Memphis. Was the thrilling 1 point win over Richmond that will most stick in your mind?

Yea that one definitely did

How did head coach Ben Howland groom and prepare you best for a professional career?

He gave me the confidence and letting me know how good I can be and comparing me to the great players that he coached just boosts you confidence through the roof and having confidence in yourself can be the best thing for you.

Who won a 1-1 in practice you or Jalen Johnson?

I’m picking myself on anybody

Who was the toughest player that you ever faced in the NCAA that reached the NBA?

Cam Thomas LSU

Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time?

All my teammates are the best

Please list your personal NBA Mount Rushmore?

Kobe

Jordan

Durant

Shaq

Who is your GOAT and why?

Kobe because my dad was a big Lakers fan and that’s all we used to watch

Thanks DJ for the chat.