Who is DJ Steward? NBA hopeful racking up the points for LA Lakers at Summer League, he studies Luka Doncic

DJ Steward at Summer League so far

DJ Steward scored 20 points in the LA Lakers’ 89-84 loss to the Golden State Warriors on July 5. This was the second-highest on the court, behind only Cole Swider (24).

Steward scored 7-10 from the field, 1-1 from three, and also contributed six assists.

He scored 13 points in the Lakers’ 103-83 win against the Miami Heat on July 6, going 6-9 from the field and contributing three assists.

DJ Steward battling to make the roster

DJ Steward is an outsider to make the LA Lakers roster, and a more likely outcome is a spot on the South Bay Lakers.

Steward was undrafted in 2021 out of Duke, and landed with the Sacramento Kings’ G League team the Stockton Kings. He played for the 76ers team at Summer League in 2023.

He has subsequently spent time on G League rosters with the Maine Celtics, Windy City Bulls and Memphis Hustle.

Speaking to HoopsHype in 2024, Steward discussed the players he studies, including current Lakers superstar Luka Doncic.

“I watch a lot of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Brunson. I watched some Luka Doncic, just for pace, and a little Kyrie Irving.

“I like Shai’s pace and his ability to bump defenders and use angles. I also like Luka Doncic, his footwork, his pace, his rise out of the pick-and-roll, and Jaylen Brown.”

Steward left college early after Covid, and is still only 23-years-old. The shooting guard is hoping to use this summer as a platform to finally make an NBA roster.