Let's talk Jaylin Stewart

[boog204]

I thought all year, if given the same amount of opportunities as McNeeley , he would have produced more.

He was the starter for six weeks and averaged almost 30mpg. He got the opportunity and he was inconsistent as always. I'm glad Jaylin is back and we legit NEED him to have a huge season.

 

[my2cents]

He was the starter for six weeks and averaged almost 30mpg. He got the opportunity and he was inconsistent as always. I'm glad Jaylin is back and we legit NEED him to have a huge season.

Talking shots, not minutes.

 

[boog204]

Talking shots, not minutes.

Yes, he needed to be more active. I don't believe for a second he lacked opportunities. He had six games with 20+ minutes where he attempted three or less shots. He spent inordinate amounts of time standing around at the three-point line. He had plenty of opportunities to become a larger part of the offense, but he was frequently very passive. We all know he has talent, but he's got to do something consistently with it this year. I'm not sold he has that mentality, tbh.

 

[Deleted at users request]

Yes, he needed to be more active. I don't believe for a second he lacked opportunities. He had six games with 20+ minutes where he attempted three or less shots. He spent inordinate amounts of time standing around at the three-point line. He had plenty of opportunities to become a larger part of the offense, but he was frequently very passive. We all know he has talent, but he's got to do something consistently with it this year. I'm not sold he has that mentality, tbh.

I would’ve liked to see more plays called for him to do less standing around. Hopefully next year he’ll get the plays the were called for Liam and Karaban.

 

[thekollieman]

An argument can be made for Stew at the 3 or the 4. If he can improve his perimeter D I would want him at the 3. I just want more size. I want someone bigger with some muscle at the 4 as well. I saw our guys at the McDonalds game last night and Mullins does not look like a three. He looks 6'4" tops and slender. A perfect 2 guard which is what he would be in the NBA. I think he's the 6th man

High school recruits’ listed height is an even bigger joke than college players’ listed height.

 

[JesusAllen11]

I expect the leap Solo took from Stew this year. I believe he will flourish when featured and given more on ball focus. Being a role player isnt his game , the same way being a lead star isnt Alexs best role. He just patiently accepted and played his role. His being the first announcement was intentional and an indicator for next season. He is coming to claim his spot , im excited for him.

I believe he has the skill and mindset to flourish when featured on a team. Next year will prove if he can do it on a big east level.

 

[Deleted at users request]

I expect the leap Solo took from Stew this year. I believe he will flourish when featured and given more on ball focus. Being a role player isnt his game , the same way being a lead star isnt Alexs best role. He just patiently accepted and played his role. His being the first announcement was intentional and an indicator for next season. He is coming to claim his spot , im excited for him.

I believe he has the skill and mindset to flourish when featured on a team. Next year will prove if he can do it on a big east level.

Yup, which is part of the reason I hope Alex goes pro. Because if he comes back we’ll probably have Alex play a star role again and Stewart would still take a back seat.

 

[Gutter King]

Stewart's issues have been mainly mental, not physical. He's a pretty good on ball defender, but loses focus covering guys off the ball. He tends to be more active on defense when he's scoring and involved in the offense. If he's making shots, he's better at all the other things.

Those are signs of immaturity that he can definitely grow out of.

I also noticed that he makes a lot of "energy" plays like dunks and athletic blocks. We needed that in a bad way this year. Problem is quite a few of them were called fouls, and you could see the wind coming out of his sails. I think you nailed it re: mental aspect. I really like the flexibility he has in his game, and has the potential to impact the flow of the game regardless of the opponent. I am hoping, and think, that he will unlock that killer mentality.

 

[Lafayette]

Suffice it to say we got spoiled by Solo Ball's sophomore rise - typically players rise Sophomore to Junior year if they are not one or two and dones. Let's see how Stewart grows offensively and defensively next season please.

 

[TBHreal]

Stewart is our starting SF for 2025-2026. He would not have returned otherwise. He’s also a bit too small to be our starting PF (he can play there when we go with a small lineup of course).

We are still awaiting a portal PG and PF to fill in our starting lineup along with Reed, Ball, and Stewart. The freshman aren’t starting.

 

[TheChamps990411]

Absolutely Jaylin starts. It’s the same deal as Samson, regardless of minutes and role, he put in his time and will start every game.

And he should start. I hope he improves like he did this season but more like Solo level of improvement. Im stumped on Stewie and what kind of player he can be. Its like he seems to have ability on all 3 levels to score, rebounds, defends, passes the ball but he does none of it at a high level nor consistently. Is this who he is or is he just scratching the surface of what hes really capable of?

 

[TheChamps990411]

Stewart is our starting SF for 2025-2026. He would not have returned otherwise. He’s also a bit too small to be our starting PF (he can play there when we go with a small lineup of course).

We are still awaiting a portal PG and PF to fill in our starting lineup along with Reed, Ball, and Stewart. The freshman aren’t starting.

Dont let the McDAA game fool you Mullins is big time and will push for a starting spot so Stewie has to hit shots and do so consistently. Reibe is a very skilled 7 footer who will have an impact as the season goes on and he gets comfortable. Adams is going to take time. Hes very talented and i was impressed with him in the AA game but the one big problem with him was hes built like a jr high schooler. He was the smallest kid on the court and a couple times he tried to get past his guy but would get bumped and fall over or get outmuscled for a rebound. Spending a year on the bench behind Silas will do wonders for him and he could be ready to make an impact as a sophomore.

 

[Ewekon]

So is he a "poor man's" Andre?

Killer in shape. Limitless motor. Highly suspect shot.

Then

Makes big jump and hits the draft.

Sound familiar?

 

[Ewekon]

Generally adding 10 pounds is not going to help with lateral movement. I think the coaching staff will have a thought in mind of how they want him to play next year and that dictates the offseason plan physically. If he’s going to be playing a lot of 3, I’m not sure you want him gaining weight. He’s generally not getting pushed around as it is.

When he comes in for Junior year, he will have added 12 pounds of pure muscle over the summer. That's how we old school off season.

 

[444JR]

Demary Jr 6’5
Solo Ball 6’4
Stewart 6’7
Karaban 6’8
Reed Jr 6’10

Adams 6’5
Mullins 6’5
Furphy 6’6
Ross 6’7
Reibe 7’0

If Karaban comes back, a big that can play 4/5, and a veteran depth guard would be ideal.

 

[3rdbass]

In the same season he clamped up the nation’s #1 scorer in Eric Dixon, and also got hunted and abused by Dailyn Swain

He’s switched every off ball screen and locked up multiple positions on the same possession, and he’s also gotten blown by in a straight line drive by pretty much anyone

I think his defensive issues are mental. He’s tall, strong, and athletic enough to be a consistently great defender. He just has to WANT to be every possession

Offensively I like him more as a 4 than a 3 because he isn’t a great ball handler. But he shoots it well enough that I could see him as a 3 that can shoot when left open and can attack the glass and play more in the paint

But overall I’m happy he’s back. He’s going to play a big role next year!

He also shut down Villanova's Poplar in the 2nd half when switched on to him. Actually Villanova wasn't even trying to get the bal to Poplar when Stewart switched on to him.

 

[3rdbass]

Demary Jr 6’5
Solo Ball 6’4
Stewart 6’7
Karaban 6’8
Reed Jr 6’10

Adams 6’5
Mullins 6’5
Furphy 6’6
Ross 6’7
Reibe 7’0

If Karaban comes back, a big that can play 4/5, and a veteran depth guard would be ideal.

I would like a backup PG to go along with this lineup.

 

[3rdbass]

It sounds like Jaylin knows it is his time to get his and be aggressive after deferring for 2 years. I have high hopes in big growth on both sides of the ball. Sounds from his quote of not taking a back seat means he will start if he plays well and is aggressive.

 

[RuffRuff]

And he should start. I hope he improves like he did this season but more like Solo level of improvement. Im stumped on Stewie and what kind of player he can be. Its like he seems to have ability on all 3 levels to score, rebounds, defends, passes the ball but he does none of it at a high level nor consistently. Is this who he is or is he just scratching the surface of what hes really capable of?

I thought starting didn’t matter, ehem the Tarris/Samson who gives a s who starts crowd? It matters.

 

[Son of Robert]

It sounds lik3 Jaylin knows it is his time to get his and be aggressive after deferring for 2 years. I have high hopes in big growth on both sides of the ball. Sounds from his quote of not taking a back seat means he will start if he plays well and is aggressive.

Been waiting on this from Jaylin Stewart, you know the declaration, this is my year, I'm going to be a primary scorer. Bring it!

 

[Huskyforlife]

I thought starting didn’t matter, ehem the Tarris/Samson who gives a s who starts crowd? It matters.

You expect consistency on this board?

 

[Huskyforlife]

I appreciate Stew for his confidence and loyalty, but I do hope he focuses on being the best 3nD player on the team, I think we have 4 guys easily ahead of him in the shot order and we need someone to play that role around them. I hope his loyalty pays off in a breakout season regardless though.

 

[3rdbass]

I appreciate Stew for his confidence and loyalty, but I do hope he focuses on being the best 3nD player on the team, I think we have 4 guys easily ahead of him in the shot order and we need someone to play that role around them. I hope his loyalty pays off in a breakout season regardless though.

4 guys? Probably only 2 in Ball and Demary. I expect Stew to be the 3rd and sometimes 1st or 2nd if he picks up his offense. He has the skills. Who are you putting ahead Tarris. We know centers like him will get limited touches as he he can only score close to the basket and I don't like relying on a Fresman like Mullins. Just let him play his game and take open shots. I think Jaylin is probably the only player besides Demary and Smith who can penetrate so I hope to see more of this next year as we need that on offense.

 

[HooperScooper]

4 guys? Probably only 2 in Ball and Demary. I expect Stew to be the 3rd and sometimes 1st or 2nd if he picks up his offense. He has the skills. Who are you putting ahead Tarris. We know centers like him will get limited touches as he he can only score close to the basket and I don't like relying on a Fresman like Mullins. Just let him play his game and take open shots. I think Jaylin is probably the only player besides Demary and Smith who can penetrate so I hope to see more of this next year as we need that on offense.

I guess it's debatable but you don't think Karaban will get more shots than Stewart? And you can also argue they need to feed Reed more this year.

 

[3rdbass]

I guess it's debatable but you don't think Karaban will get more shots than Stewart? And you can also argue they need to feed Reed more this year.

I forgot about Karaban but maybe him getting less shots is better. Just take open 3s. I rather have Stewart trying to penetrate and product offense than Karaban. If Karaban is our 4th option on offense I think that is a good thing. He really is the ultimate glue guy and not someone who should be a main scorer for us. Kind of like the 2 other championship teams.

 

[uconnblueinky]

I'm interested to see how the scoring is spread out this season. Will Alex be more efficient on less shots? If Solo improves , he's a near 20 ppg game kind of guy. Reed needs to get his. Jaylin saying he's going to be the guy. Wonder what it'll look like next year. Demary seems to be the one who's doing to dictate how things roll

 

[uconn_jack]

I forgot about Karaban but maybe him getting less shots is better. Just take open 3s. I rather have Stewart trying to penetrate and product offense than Karaban. If Karaban is our 4th option on offense I think that is a good thing. He really is the ultimate glue guy and not someone who should be a main scorer for us. Kind of like the 2 other championship teams.

Karaban is not going to be open 3's only 4th option guy. He struggled sometimes going to the basket last year, but he's very capable, and with more offense around him for the defense to worry about, he should have more success. Especially if he gets more consistent with that mid-lane floater he can pretty much get when he wants.

 

[3rdbass]

Karaban is not going to be open 3's only 4th option guy. He struggled sometimes going to the basket last year, but he's very capable, and with more offense around him for the defense to worry about, he should have more success. Especially if he gets more consistent with that mid-lane floater he can pretty much get when he wants.

I'm just saying he was more sucessful when he didn't have to create and could just score off 3 point shots and cuts. He is too slow to create much offense and doesn't have a post game. He is a glue guy and that is what I want to see him play. We have the talent so he doesn't have to worry about scoring much. 10 points would be good. He should be a who shoots open 3s, rebounds and play good interior D.

 

[HooperScooper]

I'm just saying he was more sucessful when he didn't have to create and could just score off 3 point shots and cuts. He is too slow to create much offense and doesn't have a post game. He is a glue guy and that is what I want to see him play. We have the talent so he doesn't have to worry about scoring much. 10 points would be good. He should be a 3 and D guy.

I don't see him only scoring 10 ppg. He was at 9.3 ppg freshman year when he was by far the 4th or maybe even 5th option (I'll say 4th because he was a better scorer than Jackson). Then he was at 13.3 ppg sophomore year when he was the 4th or 5th option again and then 14.3 ppg this past season when he was one of the top 3 options but was much less efficient. I just don't see a 4 year starter, who I expect to be much more efficient this coming season, going back to 10 ppg after what he did his first 3 seasons. If it leads to the team being more efficient offensively and more wins then I'm all for it. But I just don't think it will happen. Put him down for 13-14 ppg.

 

[3rdbass]

I don't see him only scoring 10 ppg. He was at 9.3 ppg freshman year when he was by far the 4th or maybe even 5th option (I'll say 4th because he was a better scorer than Jackson). Then he was at 13.3 ppg sophomore year when he was the 4th or 5th option again and then 14.3 ppg this past season when he was one of the top 3 options but was much less efficient. I just don't see a 4 year starter, who I expect to be much more efficient this coming season, going back to 10 ppg after what he did his first 3 seasons. If it leads to the team being more efficient offensively and more wins then I'm all for it. But I just don't think it will happen. Put him down for 13-14 ppg.

I just prefer for him not to create offense as that isn't his strength. We will have other options to do it this year if Jaylin is aggressive, Demary and Smith.