NBA
IS
#33

Isaiah Stewart

Forward · Memphis Grizzlies · 6'8", 250 lb · Born May 22, 2001 · Rochester, New York · Drafted 16th overall, 2020
All-Rookie 2nd (2021)Beef StewPhysical bigRim protector
NBAMemphis GrizzliesForwards
Compare:vs Spencervs Cowardvs IIvs Morantvs Wellsvs Caldwell-Pope
In short

Isaiah Stewart is a physical 6-foot-8, 250-pound center-forward for the Memphis Grizzlies — a bruising interior defender, rebounder, and shot-blocker known as 'Beef Stew.' Drafted 16th in 2020 out of Washington, he built a durable career in Detroit, adding perimeter shooting to his enforcer game. His toughness and rim protection define his role.

Matchup model · next gameMedium confidenceWed, Nov 11
@Los Angeles LakersAggressive hedge & help
Proj. points
10
range 7.3–12.7
Line 10
50%
to go over
Team win
36%
110–114
Poi 10 Lean underReb 5 Lean underAss 1.1 Lean overPRA 16.1 Lean over
Likely on himDeandre Ayton· 84 Rim protectionStrong defender
10+ pts50%15+ pts5%

Model lines Stewart at 10 pts (range 7.3–12.7) vs a 10 line — roughly a coin flip to clear it (50%).

Model favors Los Angeles Lakers (64%), projected 110–114, ~224 total at 96.5 pace.

Full matchup breakdown · all markets →
Balladex Matchup Model — modeled from real roster ratings, scoring baselines & defender-matchup history. Schedule, availability & head-to-head samples are illustrative in this prototype; production wires live schedule, injury & player-tracking feeds. Not betting advice.
✦ Ask anything about Stewart
The Stewart Story — narrated
Tap play to hear his story, told as a 90-second short.
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A physical, bruising center-forward — interior defense and rebounding, 'Beef Stew.'

Naismith Prep Player of the Year, Stewart starred at Washington before being drafted 16th in 2020.

🏫 Washington · 16th, 2020Rochester, NY

His rights went to Detroit, where he made the All-Rookie Second Team.

All-Rookie 2ndPhysical big

He wears No. 33 for Patrick Ewing and added a stretch jumper to his enforcer game.

No. 33 · EwingStretch potential

A tough rim protector, he brings physicality to Memphis.

8.6 / 7.1Rim protector
— end of story —
Want the full numbers? Open the breakdown →
PPG
10
2025-26
RPG
5
per game
APG
1.1
per game
FG%
.550
.333 from three
LIFE

Roots & the rise

A physical, bruising center-forward — interior defense and rebounding, 'Beef Stew.'

Isaiah Stewart was born in Rochester, New York and was Naismith Prep Player of the Year before a dominant one season at Washington, earning All-Pac-12 First Team. Portland drafted him 16th in 2020, and his rights were routed to Detroit, where he made the All-Rookie Second Team.

A physical 6-foot-8, 250-pound center-forward nicknamed 'Beef Stew' (and wearing No. 33 in honor of Patrick Ewing), he is a bruising interior defender, rebounder, and shot-blocker who added a stretch jumper. He brings toughness and rim protection to Memphis.

Sources: Wikipedia, NBA.com, Basketball-Reference, ESPN.

BEYOND THE GAME

Beyond the game

Stewart is a Rochester product of Jamaican heritage — the son of a Jamaican immigrant father — and a family man (married, with a son). He wears No. 33 in tribute to Patrick Ewing, reflecting the throwback, physical center identity he embraces. His fiery, enforcer edge has at times brought technicals and discipline, documented events noted here factually and briefly.

His on-court identity is physicality and interior defense — a strong, high-motor big who protects the paint, rebounds, sets hard screens, and blocks shots, with an emerging corner three-point shot that lets him play alongside another big. Undersized for a true center but immensely strong, his toughness and rim protection make him a valuable interior enforcer for the Grizzlies.

PERSONALITY

The person

A physical, high-motor interior big — rim protection, rebounding, and toughness.

EnforcerA bruising, physical interior defender and screener.
Rim protectorProtects the paint and blocks shots.
Stretch potentialAdded a corner three to his game.
PLAYER DNA

Archetype & ratings

Archetype
Physical Two-Way Big
Temperament
Steady
Leadership
58/100
Scoring58
Playmaking36
Rebounding62
Perimeter D74
Rim protection46
Spacing59
Athleticism70
Clutch62
a physical, floor-spacing big acquired from Detroit
ANALYSIS

What the numbers say

Physicality and rim protection

Stewart's value is physical interior defense — a strong, 250-pound big who protects the paint, rebounds, sets hard screens, and blocks shots, an enforcer who sets a tough tone. His emerging corner three lets him play alongside another big, giving Memphis a versatile, physical frontcourt piece.

Discipline and role

Undersized for a true center but immensely strong, Stewart's ceiling is tied to staying available and disciplined, given a documented history of on-court altercations. When he channels the physicality cleanly, he's a valuable interior enforcer and rim protector; his toughness and rebounding are genuine assets on a defensively oriented roster.

STATS

Season by season

Per game

SeasonGPMINPTSREBASTFG%3P%
2025-265822.710.05.01.1.550.333

Source: Basketball-Reference.

ADVANCED

Advanced & historical

Where he sits in history

2021NBA All-Rookie Second Team
CollegeAll-Pac-12 First Team at Washington; Naismith Prep Player of the Year
TributeWears No. 33 in honor of Patrick Ewing

Hardware

1×
All-Rookie Second Team (2021)
16th
Draft pick (2020)
OUTLOOK

Where it's headed

AI-generated · updated July 13, 2026

A physical, defense-first interior big — rim protection and toughness for the Grizzlies.

Stewart projects as a physical, defense-first rotation big — rim protection, rebounding, and toughness, with enough shooting to play alongside another big. His ceiling is tied to staying available and disciplined; if he channels the physicality cleanly, he's a valuable interior enforcer for Memphis.

Interior defenseStrong
ReboundingStrong
PhysicalityElite
Discipline / sizeWatch

Contract

Role
Physical big enforcer
Tribute
No. 33 Ewing
Age
25 prime
Bottom line

A physical, bruising interior big and rim protector — 'Beef Stew' brings toughness, rebounding, and rim protection, with discipline the key to maximizing his enforcer role.

FAQ

Quick answers

What is Isaiah Stewart known for?

Physicality and interior defense — a bruising 6-foot-8, 250-pound big nicknamed 'Beef Stew' who protects the paint, rebounds, and sets a tough tone.

Why does Isaiah Stewart wear No. 33?

In honor of Hall of Fame center Patrick Ewing, reflecting the throwback, physical center identity he embraces.

What is Isaiah Stewart's development?

He added a corner three-point shot to his enforcer game, letting him play alongside another big while providing rim protection and rebounding.