In a largely unexpected announcement Friday afternoon, freshman forward Sean Stewart announced on Instagram that he plans to enter the transfer portal and leave Duke after just one year with the program.
Stewart’s time with the Blue Devils likely wasn’t what the Montverde Academy product envisioned when he committed to Duke in late 2021. The Windemere, Fla. native only played average only 8.4 minutes, 2.6 points and 3.2 rebounds per game in 33 appearances.
That being said, Stewart’s impact increased significantly as the season progressed. Despite coming off the bench regularly, the 2023 four-star recruit showed off his incredible athleticism and physical gifts every time he took the court, amassing perhaps the most jaw-dropping highlights of any player of the team. Stewart’s best performance came in the Blue Devils’ first game against NC State, in which the 6-foot-9 forward played a season-high 26 minutes, scoring 12 points, five rebounds and three blocks.
Stewart’s departure also comes as a major surprise due to his long-standing relationship with Duke. However, head coach Jon Scheyer’s incoming recruiting class is loaded with frontcourt talent, led by consensus No. 1 recruit Cooper Flagg, so it makes sense that Stewart may have wanted a better chance to see more consistent minutes on the field.
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