It is impossible to overlook Duke University’s men’s basketball commit Sean Stewart’s ties to USA Basketball. Long before committing to the Blue Devils, Stewart had a close relationship with USA national team managing director Grant Hill.

Hill, a USA Basketball and Duke legend, took Stewart to a Duke game and helped kickstart a fandom that was a leading factor in his eventual commitment to the program. It was Hill who stood next to Stewart on his signing day.

Now, before turning 19 years old, Stewart has already worn “USA” across his chest twice: once for the 2022 USA Men’s U17 National Team and recently in the 2023 Nike Hoop Summit.

“It means a lot, it’s been a dream of mine since I was young,” Stewart said. “So to actually play in Portland is just insane. When I got the call, I was super excited and it means so much to be here, it’s a blessing. … It’s always great to represent your country.”

Much like Hill, Stewart is no stranger to success, even at an early age. But with that success comes a busy schedule, and Stewart is in the midst of the busiest stint of his young career.

Stewart played in the McDonald’s All-American Game on March 28 alongside fellow Duke commit and Nike Hoop Summit participant Jared McCain before playing in the GEICO High School Nationals quarterfinals on March 30. Then it was time for the Nike Hoop Summit on April 8.

“We’re all tired but we got to push through it,” Stewart said. “We all have been to most of these events, so we just have to keep pushing through and keep playing hard.”

Even though the schedule was rigorous, this period of time allowed Stewart to build rapport with his future teammate, McCain. Stewart and McCain were roommates in Portland and, in Stewart’s words, “chopped it up” about the future and the potential of bringing a championship to Durham.

Before coming to Portland, Stewart and McCain were impactful in the McDonald’s All-American Game, with Stewart coming away with the slam dunk contest trophy and McCain claiming the event’s 3-point competition title.

Then, at the Nike Hoop Summit, Stewart and McCain were first-time teammates. Stewart didn’t see much game action, though McCain finished the event with 10 points. Regardless, the practice reps helped the pair develop chemistry that will carry on into the collegiate season.

“It’s been great, it’s my first time playing with (McCain),” Stewart said. “So, it’s great to get a preview of what’s to come for next season. It’s been really good. Jared, he’s a great shooter, facilitator, great leader. … It’s going to be exciting to play with him.”

Stewart and McCain aren’t the only future Blue Devils to have had an impact at the Nike Hoop Summit. Jadyn Donovan participated in the inaugural women’s game at the Hoop Summiti flashing highlight reel plays on both sides of the court.

“I’ve seen (Donovan) play, when we went to (Spalding Hoophall Classic), they played before us, so we got to watch them. She’s really good. She’s going to be good for them next year,” Stewart said.

Stewart said he’s looking forward to getting to campus and seeing a renewed competitive basketball environment among the two programs. This year, Duke saw its men’s and women’s teams both make the NCAA Tournament for the first time since the 2017-18 season.

“We’re going to be joking around, chirping, talking about who’s better and stuff like that,” Stewart said. “It’s going to be fun going to their games and supporting them.”

As for Duke’s men, Stewart and McCain join a team that could be the NCAA’s preseason No. 1. That team features likely returners Kyle Filipowski and Tyrese Proctor, two guys who participated in the 2022 Nike Hoop Summit, as well as Mark Mitchell, who participated in a 2019 Men’s Junior National Team minicamp.

Stewart said he’s looking forward to learning from that trio and that he watches a variety of players as he tries to flesh out his skill set.

“I take little bits and pieces from a lot of different people like my dad and people like Giannis (Antetokounmpo), he plays really hard and pushes the ball,” Stewart said.

But being a Duke fan, Stewart was sure to watch plenty of tape on Blue Devil legends while growing up.

“Jayson Tatum, he has a great face-up game. I try to watch some of that stuff, like one, two dribble pull-ups and stuff,” Stewart said. “Some people guard one through five and I like to watch those types of guys, two-way players. … Zion Williamson, he’s really good in transition, so I like to watch him too.”

Tatum, Williamson and Hill have all had storied Duke and USA Basketball careers, going on to become legends for both the school and their country. Soon, Stewart plans on joining them.