Michael Stewart (basketball)
Encyclopedia
Michael Curtis "Yogi" Stewart (born April 24, 1975 in Cucq
, Pas-de-Calais, France
) is a retired American
basketball
player who last played for the Atlanta Hawks
of the NBA. Stewart earned his nickname "Yogi" from his brother for his childhood love of Yogi Bear cartoons.
Stewart, son of former Santa Clara
standout and European pro Mike Stewart
, starred at Kennedy High School
in Sacramento, California
, leading the Cougars to back-to-back city section titles in 1990 and 1991.
Stewart played four seasons at the University of California, Berkeley
. He averaged 4.3 ppg and 4.7 rpg in 117 games and finished as the Bears' all-time leading shot-blocker (207). Stewart set a school record by blocking 59 shots as a freshman in 1993–94 and holds the four best single-season totals for blocks in school history. He never missed a game, playing in all 117 games during his collegiate career and shooting .510 from the field.
At the 1994 U.S. Olympic Festival, Stewart was a member of the bronze medal-winning West team.
Stewart went undrafted and was signed to a one-year contract by the Kings on September 11, 1997. This was a dream come true for Michael, as he had served as a ball boy
for the Kings in his youth. In 1997–98, he led the Kings in blocked shots and ranked second overall among NBA rookies. He also blocked nine shots in one game. On January 21, 1999, Stewart was signed as a free agent by the Toronto Raptors
. During the ensuing offseason, he was re-signed to a six-year, $24 million contract by the team.
In 2002, Stewart was traded from the Raptors (along with a future second round pick) to the Cleveland Cavaliers in exchange for Lamond Murray. He is also a cousin of former Toronto Raptor, Tracy Murray.
Cucq
Cucq is a commune in the Pas-de-Calais department in the Nord-Pas-de-Calais region of France.-Geography:...
, Pas-de-Calais, France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
) is a retired American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
player who last played for the Atlanta Hawks
Atlanta Hawks
The Atlanta Hawks are an American professional basketball team based in Atlanta, Georgia. They are part of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association .-The first years:...
of the NBA. Stewart earned his nickname "Yogi" from his brother for his childhood love of Yogi Bear cartoons.
Stewart, son of former Santa Clara
Santa Clara Broncos men's basketball
The Santa Clara Broncos men's basketball team represents Santa Clara University, located in Santa Clara, California, in NCAA Division I basketball competition. They play their home games at the Leavey Center and are members of the West Coast Conference...
standout and European pro Mike Stewart
Mike Stewart (basketball)
Mike Stewart is a retired American basketball player, best known for his career at Santa Clara University, where he was named the West Coast Conference player of the year in 1972. He is the father of former NBA player Michael "Yogi" Stewart....
, starred at Kennedy High School
John F. Kennedy High School (Sacramento, California)
John F. Kennedy High School, a member of the Sacramento City Unified School District, is a public school in the Pocket-Greenhaven Area of Sacramento, California.-Notable alumni:* Adam Bernero - seven-year MLB pitcher...
in Sacramento, California
Sacramento, California
Sacramento is the capital city of the U.S. state of California and the county seat of Sacramento County. It is located at the confluence of the Sacramento River and the American River in the northern portion of California's expansive Central Valley. With a population of 466,488 at the 2010 census,...
, leading the Cougars to back-to-back city section titles in 1990 and 1991.
Stewart played four seasons at the University of California, Berkeley
University of California, Berkeley
The University of California, Berkeley , is a teaching and research university established in 1868 and located in Berkeley, California, USA...
. He averaged 4.3 ppg and 4.7 rpg in 117 games and finished as the Bears' all-time leading shot-blocker (207). Stewart set a school record by blocking 59 shots as a freshman in 1993–94 and holds the four best single-season totals for blocks in school history. He never missed a game, playing in all 117 games during his collegiate career and shooting .510 from the field.
At the 1994 U.S. Olympic Festival, Stewart was a member of the bronze medal-winning West team.
Stewart went undrafted and was signed to a one-year contract by the Kings on September 11, 1997. This was a dream come true for Michael, as he had served as a ball boy
Ball Boy
Ball Boy is a comic strip in the UK comic The Beano and also the name of the main character. It first appeared in issue 1735, dated 18 October 1975. It features a five-a-side football team that includes:* Ball Boy - the captain of the team, Ball Boy bears resemblances to The Dandy's Owen Goal...
for the Kings in his youth. In 1997–98, he led the Kings in blocked shots and ranked second overall among NBA rookies. He also blocked nine shots in one game. On January 21, 1999, Stewart was signed as a free agent by the Toronto Raptors
Toronto Raptors
The Toronto Raptors are a professional basketball team based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They are part of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was established in 1995, along with the Vancouver Grizzlies, as part of the NBA's re-expansion...
. During the ensuing offseason, he was re-signed to a six-year, $24 million contract by the team.
In 2002, Stewart was traded from the Raptors (along with a future second round pick) to the Cleveland Cavaliers in exchange for Lamond Murray. He is also a cousin of former Toronto Raptor, Tracy Murray.
External links
- NBA.com page
- ESPN.com page
- http://www.nba.com/raptors/news/pr_murray_020925.html