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.
Stewart, a 6'10 center, played for Santa Clara from 1970 to 1973. After redshirting what would have been his sophomore year, he was a three-year starter for the Broncos, leading the team in scoring all three years. As a junior in the 1971–72 season, Stewart averaged 21.2 points and 9.7 rebounds and shot a.647 field goal percentage and was named WCC player of the year and an All-American by the Helms Athletic Foundation. His strong season garnered him an invitation to the 1972 US Olympic team trials, one of 28 players invited. However, he did not make the team.
Since Stewart had redshirted, he was eligible to be drafted professionally. He was drafted by the Chicago Bulls in the 1972 NBA Draft and by The Floridians of the American Basketball Association. However, he chose to return to Santa Clara for his final season of eligibility. Stewart averaged 18.7 points and 9.0 rebounds and was again named first team All-West Coast Conference.
In the 1973 NBA Draft, Stewart was selected by the Boston Celtics, but never played in the NBA. He played briefly in the Western Basketball League for the Martinez Muirs. Stewart then headed to France, where he played for seven years for Berck and Monaco Basket. He was a standout for these teams, and later was named to Monaco Basket's hall of fame.
Mike Stewart is the father of Michael "Yogi" Stewart, who played several years in the NBA.
