2019 Top-40 PF Isaiah Stewart Not Rushing Recruitment
Notre Dame will welcome a strong 2018 class to South Bend next season which includes four recruits ranked inside the top-106 players nationally.
Mike Brey and his staff aim to do the same in 2019 although it will very likely be a smaller class.
The Irish have not extended a ton of offers to the current junior class, but Brey and company are in hot pursuit of one player who resides just a short drive away — La Porte (Ind.) La Lumiere power forward Isaiah Stewart.
The 6-foot-8, 230-pounder transferred to La Lumiere from New York this summer and saw his stock continue to rise which included landing an offer from Notre Dame in early September during a visit.
Both Stewart and Notre Dame have remained in constant communication since the offer.
“I went up there and played pickup with the guys and I watched the football game (Temple),” Stewart said recently “They always tell me I’m their guy for 2019. They always tell me to pay attention to Bonzie Colson. They want to do that to my game which I’ve been working on at La Lumiere.
“I made a huge sacrifice coming here not averaging 35 and not being able to bring the ball up … It was a huge sacrifice, but when you’re playing against good players and you’re playing with great teammates you can’t complain.”
Stewart’s relationship with the Irish staff continues to grow especially with Brey and assistant Ryan Ayers.
“They’re great,” Stewart said of the Irish coaches. “My guy is Ryan Ayers. We text a lot. Then Mike Brey. Great coach, great person and great personality. That’s my dude.”
Several new offers have come in for Stewart over the past couple of months and the nation’s No. 39 player wants to move slow with the process to examine all his options. Stewart’s offer list currently includes the likes of Duke, Kansas, Indiana, Florida, Syracuse, Texas, Maryland, Marquette, Virginia and a host of others to go with Notre Dame.
“Just taking my time right now,” Stewart said when asked about his recruitment. “Cut my list down and pick the schools that’s the best fit and move on. I’m not sure [when I’ll do that]. I’m not really stressing that …
“I know the schools that I really like and that’s a good fit for me. I just want to take my time and make sure that it is a great fit for me. Get to learn more about their program, continue to build a relationship with their staff and they get to know my family, my coaches and the people helping me make my decision.”
Stewart is enjoying his new home at La Lumiere. He’s already noticed a dramatic change in one area due to his conditioning and work at the school.
“I’m pretty much adjusted,” Stewart said. “Of course, it’s in the middle of nowhere. It’s a great spot. Less distractions and you’re bonding with your teammates every day and in the gym getting better.
“Leaving my old school my last vertical leap that was tested was probably like low-20s. I came here and I have 39.5-inch. My vertical has changed a lot since I got here.”
Notre Dame will have its hands full with Stewart as many of the nation’s best court the talented post player. It certainly doesn’t hurt Stewart is just 30 minutes or so away from campus and get to South Bend much easier during his senior compared to other programs on his offer sheet.
The Irish will continue to push hard and show Stewart the priority he is for the staff in the 2019 class.
To watch summer highlights of Stewart: CLICK HERE.
Jordan Wells of TheHoosier.com contributed to this report.
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