The Trento guard sits down with Javier Gancedo to discuss his game-winning shot, his first EuroCup season, and the teammates pushing the team forward
‘My confidence was skyrocketing’: DJ Steward on his game-winner and Trento’s rise
Interviews
7 Mins read
Dolomiti Energia Trento guard DJ Steward joins Javier Gancedo for this week’s EuroCup conversation fresh off the biggest moment of his European career — a game‑winning shot that lifted Trento to a key victory over Lietkabelis Panevezys in its late‑season surge.
Steward reflects on the play, the confidence behind it, and how the team has transformed since the November break. He also discusses the challenges of adapting to EuroCup basketball, the impact of DeVante’ Jones and Andrej Jakimowski, life in Trento, and why he’s eager for what’s coming next as the playoffs approach.
Hello, DJ. First of all, congratulations on the win and on hitting the game-winning shot. Can you take us back to the play?
"Thanks. Actually, I just came up to the ball. It was just to get a good mismatch, bring up the weak link. And I ended up getting the mismatch that I wanted. And then that's a move that I work on in practice with one of our coaches here. So I just had the confidence to take that shot. My confidence was skyrocketed that game, making a lot of shots. And my teammates, they have the confidence in me to take those shots at the end of the game. So that was my first game winner here in Europe. That just gives me a great feeling. And I was glad to help the team come out with a win."
Two seasons ago, Quinn Ellis hit a shot at the buzzer to give Trento a victory over Lietkabelis. Same court, same opponent, almost same result - 92-93 then, 93-94 now. How cool is that?
"I guess you could say history repeats itself. So that was a great moment. I did see Quinn Ellis's game-winner after the game. So that was cool to see. And then for me to have a repeat against Lietkabelis."
You are 6-1 since the November break. What has allowed you play so well over the last two months? Was it a matter of adjustments?
"I believe that it was just coming back from the break and having a clear mind and a vision of where we wanted to go as a team. I felt like we just had to adjust to each other, build that confidence and just learn our playing style. And I feel like we have been playing to our skill sets and our strengths each game, playing fast. And we have stuck to what we know and to what the coach wants us to do. So we have been able to go out there and play the right way and be able to come out with big-time wins."
This is your first EuroCup season. What do you like about the competition?
"It's amazing! There are a lot of great players who are very physical. Every game matters here, and every game is tough because you have to adjust to a different playing style on the offensive and defensive end. And that's something that's been a change and difference for me coming over here from the States, because every game here is different, and different from leagues in the States. There may be games in the States where teams have the same exact defense, the same exact offenses, the same exact play styles. But here, there's a different playing style depending on the team that you are playing against. So film here is very important. And the adjustment has been a good one. It has been a long one, but the coaches have the trust in me to go out there and play my game and adjust to the European style. It's been good."
Devante' Jones had another big game against Lietkabelis. He has been amazing all season as a leader and floor general. What's it been like to play with him this season?
"It's great. He is a really great leader on and off the court for me, especially because this is my first year, like you said, and being able to have a point guard who has been there, who has been in the EuroCup, who has played on great teams, just having a person like him to help me out and help all my teammates out in my first year to get me adjusted has been wonderful. And his play style is very amazing. He leaves a lasting impact on every single game. And we need him. We trust him to lead us to the promised land every single game. So just having him in the backcourt has definitely simplified the game for me and the rest of my teammates."
How about Andrej Jakimowski? He has impressed everyone a lot with some really good performances along the way. How much upside does he have?
"I feel like 'Jaki' has a lot of upside. He is very, very strong on the offensive and on the defensive end, very physical. He plays the right way and is a threat offensively for us. So having him also on the wing, he can shoot it, he can drive, he can do a lot of different things. So just having 'Jaki' as another player on a team that really helps us brings that physicality aspect to the team is amazing. He has a very bright future and I see a lot, a lot in 'Jaki', for sure."
This is also your first season in Europe. How is life off the court in Trento?
"It's great. Being able to come to Trento, my first year over here is a good experience, very different for me. It's not a very 'city', but adjusting to the nature part, getting close to my teammate and getting used to a different culture has been really good for me. I eat a lot of pasta, eat a lot of pizza, I'm just trying a lot of different food. So just being here for my first year has been a great experience off the court. It can get rough sometimes, mentally, being away from home, but being in a city like this, where I can clear my mind off the court, is great."
Last season, we had DJ Stewart in Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana. He played with Devonte' there. Do you ever get mistaken for one another?
"Yes! I get mistaken with him a whole lot, going back a few years from the NBA and the G League standpoint, getting confused. There is one letter at the end of our names that's different, which is the T in his name, and my name is a D... So we definitely get mixed up a lot. We have different games, though. He is a lot taller than me, way more athletic than me, and he is super talented. So I know a lot about DJ Stewart with the T. Also there's the connection that Devante' Jones was his teammate last year. I hear a lot about them being teammates as well. So it's pretty cool."
You guys should meet, that would be cool!
"Yeah, for sure!"
We are almost at the end of the regular season, and then it's the playoffs. How much are you looking forward to the most exciting part of this EuroCup season?
"I am really looking forward to it. We just want to close out the EuroCup Regular Season in the right mindset, in the right spirit. We have to play the right way offensively and defensively and if we do that, I feel that will carry over: climbing the standings, making the playoffs and making a run. There is a break before the playoffs and we still have to stay locked in, take care of our bodies and come back to get the ball rolling and just get wins."