Although not a household name yet, Jaylin Stewart is making waves in the college basketball scene for UConn. A Seattle native of Garfield High School, Stewart joined UConn’s Class of 2023 as one of the nation’s brightest scorers. In his Freshman season, he took on a critical role in the team’s impressive Big East Championship win. In that game, Jaylin, a rookie, scored three three-pointers in a short stretch to help UConn achieve a dominating 11-point advantage over their opponents and secure a title.

This would be a pivotal moment in Stewart’s collegiate career, as before this game, he was just 6 of 30 from beyond the arc that season. Coach Hurley later admitted that for a freshman like Stewart, “college basketball is tough on freshmen.” He also stated that Stewart had struggled in the 2023-24 season. “We’ve tried to push him but also stay positive with him. He’s a future star if he stays with us,” he remarked, highlighting Jaylin Stewart’s Potential.

Stewart’s early-season numbers (2.5 points, 1.2 rebounds, and an average of 8.9 minutes played) make him look like he’s just starting to figure it out. However, these numbers are nowhere close to describing him as a player. He has always been the clutch for the Huskies when it matters. For instance, he scored 17 points throughout the Big East tournament, and his explosive performance against the Marquette Golden Eagles helped secure the win. These flashes show the possible ceiling Jaylin can achieve in big-time games.

NIL Opportunities and the Power of Staying Grounded

A twist to Stewart’s career is the integration of basketball prowess with the off-court world of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL). According to on3.com, as of October 31, 2024, he ranks #662 in the College Basketball NIL landscape, with an undisclosed per-post value. Stewart has 9.4K followers on Instagram (@jaylin_stewart) and nearly 1,000 on Twitter (@Jaylinstewart6), enhancing his NIL visibility.

On Court, however, Coach Hurley has spoken candidly about the need to manage expectations and temptations brought by NIL offers and transfer rumors, aiming to keep Stewart focused on his growth within the team. Hurley highlighted Stewart as one of several young players he hopes to develop, in an interview saying, “Yeah, just timing up, knowing who you’re going to lose, and then understanding that you have, like, you know, the three potential super softs that we need and Solo Ball and Jaylin Stewart…We don’t want to resemble a G-League team.”

He clarified what he is instead aiming for: “We want to be very strategic with adding transfer players to fit very specific roles, but we want to be a program that keeps continuity every year, especially when you have the championship DNA that we now have in our bones.” Hurley’s comment highlights not only that he has all the pieces to keep winning but also the importance of Stewart to UConn.

For Stewart, this stability at UConn aligns with his values; he’s committed to staying with the program, saying, “I’m going to be here next year. I will take a big leap, and they will need me.” This is not all talk. While growing up in Seattle, he attended Garfield High School all four years while also remaining loyal to his AAU team, Seattle Rotary, throughout high school.

This commitment paid off, as he led his high school team to multiple Metro League titles and two Washington State 3A State Championships, with stellar stats, including an average of 19.2 points and 7.6 rebounds, in his senior year. After developing a rapport with head coach Dan Hurley and assistant coach Luke Murray, Stewart also chose UConn over several power-house programs, such as USC and Alabama.

Jaylin Stewart’s journey from benchwarmer to a regular

As a rookie in his first year at UConn, he was relegated to small forward as a third-stringer but worked so hard that he rapidly made space for himself in the regular rotation. He did that while being surrounded by NBA-level talents in Donovan Clingan and Stephon Castle. In fact, Stewart took Coach Hurley’s words on staying focused to heart and worked all the time to improve his game as part of UConn’s rise.

Looking ahead, Stewart is positioned to be an integral part of UConn’s championship aspirations. As the Huskies aim for another national title, Stewart’s development alongside his highly regarded teammates will be critical. Furthermore, Dan Hurley’s commitment to building a cohesive team rather than a “transactional roster” aligns with Stewart’s desire for continuity and growth within the program. He is sure to develop into an NBA-level talent in due time.

In fact, for UConn fans and teammates alike, Jaylin Stewart’s story is a testament to the value of commitment and potential. His journey from a high school standout in Seattle to a promising talent on a championship team underscores his unique path. With hard work, loyalty, and a bright future at UConn, Jaylin Stewart’s story is just beginning, and fans are eager to see where it takes him.