IU basketball: Graduate transfer guard Parker Stewart has committed to Indiana

Indiana has picked up a commitment from graduate transfer guard Parker Stewart.

Stewart confirmed reports on his Twitter page on Tuesday afternoon.

I just hope I make you proud dad, see you soon. ❤️🙏🏼🕊 pic.twitter.com/dFreOfDmZg

— Parker Stewart (@_PSTEW) December 15, 2020

A 6-foot-5 guard, Stewart chose IU over a group of finalists that included Memphis, Arkansas and Kansas State.

“Thank you coach Miller and my man coach (Kenya) Hunter for this amazing opportunity and blessing to join this amazing program,” Stewart wrote. “Go Hoosiers. I can’t wait to get started.”

Stewart told ESPN’s Jeff Borzello why he chose IU.

“I just feel like it’s a good fit overall, and the tradition at the school I just couldn’t overlook,” Stewart told Borzello. “I feel me and [assistant coach Kenya] Hunter have a good relationship and that I can trust him. My father thought highly of him as well.”

Stewart is expected to have two years of eligibility remaining. As a graduate transfer he is eligible immediately, although it is unclear at this time whether he will enroll in January or next fall.

Whenever he decides to suit up for the Hoosiers, Stewart will give IU a three-point shooting specialist. As a coach’s son, Stewart should also provide veteran leadership once he gets acquainted with his new teammates.

The Tennessee product arrives at IU from UT Martin. Stewart’s father, Anthony Stewart, was the head coach at UT Martin before his sudden death in November. Stewart will wear No. 45 at IU to honor his father.

Stewart transferred to UT Martin from Pittsburgh to play for his father, who had been the head coach of the Skyhawks since 2016.

Stewart earned second-team All-Ohio Valley honors in 2019-20 after averaging 19.2 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 3.8 assists.

As a freshman at Pittsburgh, Stewart played in 32 games, averaging 26.2 minutes, 9.1 points and 3.3 rebounds per contest. He shot 42 percent from three-point range during ACC play that season. For his two season college career, Stewart has shot 40.1 percent from the field overall, and 36.6 percent from three-point range.

As a recruit, Stewart was a three-star prospect, ranked No. 273 nationally according to the 247Sports Composite. In addition to Pittsburgh, Stewart had offers from Kansas State, Nebraska, Ole Miss, Butler, Florida, Georgetown and others. He originally committed to Ole Miss before changing to Pittsburgh.

Stewart decided to transfer after his freshman season in connection with the firing of Panthers head coach Kevin Stallings. Before committing to play for his father in 2018 he had heavy interest from Kansas State, Oregon, and Maryland.

Stewart’s father Anthony grew up in the Hill District area of Pittsburgh. Indiana head coach Archie Miller is from the Pittsburgh area, and assistant Kenya Hunter played college basketball there. Hunter was at Nebraska when the Cornhuskers were recruiting Stewart out of high school.