The Pistons may have found a gem with the 16th overall pick in the draft Wednesday night: Washington center Isaiah Stewart.
Take it from Stewart himself. He said last month that "people forgot who I am" even though he averaged 17.0 points and 8.8 rebounds and gained All-Pac 12 honors in his lone college season.
"I’m not sure if it’s because we had a losing season or not. But these guys that they have in the draft over me are guys I’ve been beating my whole life," Stewart told HoopsHype. "I won every matchup. You talk about guys that are sleepers in this draft and I’m the biggest sleeper. I’m the guy that’s slept on the most.
"I’m a guy who has always been showing up, taking care of business from day one. Every level I’ve played, there was always doubt. But people smart enough know not to bet against Isaiah Stewart. People didn’t want me to be a ranked guy. But they knew they had no choice because every matchup that I’ve played against, I dominated."
Well then. Stewart, 6'9, will join a frontcourt in transition in Detroit. The Pistons moved on from longtime center Andre Drummond last season, and will likely bring back Christian Wood as the starter. There will be minutes available for Stewart if he can earn them.
"My game isn’t sexy. It’s not attractive," he said. "But at the end of the day, it gets the job done. People like flashy and people like potential but potential means you haven’t done anything.
"At the end of the day, I know I’m a winner. This past season was a losing season but people who know Isaiah Stewart know I’m going to be successful at the NBA level. They know the guys that are ahead of me, I’m better than them."