15 A. J. Stewart

A. J. Stewart was born on November 14, 1988, to Anthony and Dinah Stewart. A native of Jacksonville, Florida, Stewart starred at Arlington Country Day, where he helped lead the program to three consecutive state championships from 2005 through 2007. A two-time first-team all-state selection, he emerged as one of the nation’s top power forward prospects, earning a place in ESPN’s Top 100 recruits for the Class of 2007. Stewart committed to Kentucky after attending Big Blue Madness in October 2006, giving Tubby Smith an athletic, versatile forward with the potential to contribute both inside and on the wing.

Stewart honored his commitment to Kentucky despite Smith’s departure and spent his first two seasons playing under Billy Gillispie. He appeared in 22 games as a freshman, making two starts, before playing in 29 games with one start as a sophomore. Although his playing time was limited, Stewart remained a valued teammate during a turbulent period in the program’s history. His Kentucky career included challenges both on and off the court, including a brief departure from the team late in the 2008-09 season before returning, and he ultimately chose to transfer following John Calipari’s arrival in Lexington in search of a larger role.

One of Stewart’s most productive performances came early in his freshman season when he scored 10 points, grabbed four rebounds, and blocked three shots in a victory over Liberty, providing a glimpse of the athleticism that had made him such a highly regarded recruit. After leaving Kentucky, Stewart transferred to Texas State before finishing his collegiate career at Rogers State, where he became a key contributor and brought veteran leadership to the Hillcats. Though his time in Lexington was brief, Stewart’s story reflects the challenges and perseverance of a player who remained committed to pursuing opportunities throughout his college basketball career.