Binghamton University men’s basketball coach Tommy Dempsey landed his first recruit for the 2016 class on Wednesday. Guard/forward Tyler Stewart, a current senior at St. Andrew’s Episcopal School in Potomac, Maryland, verbally committed to play for the Bearcats next season.
“I’ve worked really hard for this,” Stewart said. “My family and I have been wanting this for a really long time and I’m just thankful that I got the opportunity to go to such a school as Binghamton, with the academic side, Division I basketball, I just feel truly blessed for the opportunity.”
St. Andrew’s competes in the elite Mid-Atlantic Athletic Conference, which features private high schools from across the Maryland and Washington, D.C. area. As a junior last season, Stewart averaged 12 points, seven rebounds, two assists and one block per game. According to his high school coach Kevin Jones, Stewart has matured throughout his time at St. Andrew’s.
“He has just grown as not only a basketball player but as a human being,” Jones said. “[We’re] expecting a big senior year out of him. He’s gotten stronger, his skill set has always been high, but it’s increased.”
Stewart is a similar player to current Bearcat sophomore guards Romello Walker and Justin McFadden. At 6 foot 7 inches tall, Stewart can play three positions: shooting guard, small forward and power forward. He carries the reputation of being a strong 3-point shooter and defender, according to his coach.
“If they want to go smaller with a little bit more skill they can put him at the four [power forward] to try to bring a bigger guy away from the basket, because you have to respect his skills from the outside,” Jones said. “I think definitely his versatility and skill set are two things that will be the easiest transition for him [into college].”
Aside from BU, Stewart received scholarship offers from Central Connecticut, Tennessee Chattanooga and Monmouth, but he chose Binghamton for a variety of reasons.
“I really feel comfortable at Binghamton,” Stewart said. “I loved the way coach Dempsey and his staff were going in the right direction with the team. I really felt like they had a plan and they knew what they had to do to get there. Also, when I took my visit, I loved the atmosphere … I just think that there is a great community there. I also know that it’s a great academic school, so I’d just love to go there.”
According to Jones, Stewart is the first player during his five-year tenure at St. Andrew’s to receive a Division I scholarship, and he is an excellent role model for his school.
“It’s awesome for our program, couldn’t happen to a better kid,” Jones said. “He’s worked very hard to be in this position. So, I think for us as a program it’s awesome when you can see someone put in the work over time, stay committed and achieve their goal.”