Sometimes a player at a small school will transfer to a big school and then realize that he is no longer the focus of the offense. Sometimes a player at a big school will transfer to a small school and then realize that he can dominate. Kebu Stewart fits squarely into the 2nd category. He began his college career at UNLV where he became the 1st freshman to ever be named Big West POY. He was suspended from the team after the following season and transferred to D-2 Cal State Bakersfield. It worked out quite well for him in 1997: D-2 national POY, D-2 national title, and led the nation with 13.4 RPG. He was drafted by Philadelphia that summer and spent a decade playing pro basketball in the US/overseas. HoopsHD’s Jon Teitel got to chat with Kebu about being a great rebounder and winning a title. Today is Kebu’s 48th birthday so let us be the 1st to wish him a happy 1!
You were the 1st recruit at UNLV after Coach Jerry Tarkanian was fired: why did you choose the Rebels, and how did you like playing for Rollie Massimino? I loved Rollie: he was like a father figure to me. His assistant also came to recruit me before becoming coach at Villanova: some guy named Jay Wright! They promised my mom that they would take me under their wing.
After redshirting as a freshman you were named 1994 Big West POY: how were you able to come in and be so successful in your 1st year on the court? I sat out due to Prop 48, then had some problems concerning an agent, but once I got on the court I played without any pressure and was anxious to get out there after having to play intramurals for a year.
The following season you were suspended from the team after receiving a free pair of shoes from an agent’s representative: how prevalent were free benefits for players back in the day, and why did you decide to transfer to Bakersfield? Everyone would come after you in Vegas and Rollie got a lot of heat for taking me as a Prop 48 player even though Tarkanian did a lot of that. Rollie is like Coach K: he tells you exactly what your role is and runs a clean program. I got in trouble with the same agent who got the Florida State football team in trouble for getting stuff from Foot Locker (Nate Cebrun). They gave me an ultimatum so I told them I got some sneakers and free food at some buffets in Vegas. Rollie got bought out of his contract due to going 15-13 in his 2nd year and had a lot of pressure placed on him. All of the Vegas boosters bought out Rollie’s contract: it was not the university that got rid of him. They brought in Tim Grgurich as Rollie’s replacement, but he only lasted 7 games before heading back to the NBA. They brought in 2 more coaches who did not work out: it was just a big-time mess. Bill Bayno came in the following year and wanted to have a clean slate so he brought in an entirely new set of players. We talked and at 1st he told me to get eligible but later told me to transfer. A lot of D-1 schools were interested in me but I did not want to sit out for yet another year. I wanted to play right away so my only 2 choices were NAIA or D-2. Coach Dave Rice helped me through the process and told me that Bakersfield was the best D-2 program out there. Bakersfield coach Pat Douglass was 1 of several coaches who interviewed for the UNLV job, but after he did not get it he recruited me to come play for him out west. Things worked out well for me after I transferred.
In 1997 you led the nation with 13.4 RPG: what is your secret for being a great rebounder? I think that it is a combination of instincts and hard work. It is not like scoring: you have to bring the energy every night. I could not jump like Vince Carter but had a quick 2nd jump and could push people out of the way under the rim.
In 1997 you were named D-2 national POY: what did it mean to you to win such an outstanding honor? That was major for me: it showed me that all of my hard work had paid off and it was a great honor.
In the 1997 D-2 national title game you had 18 PTS/21 REB in a 1-PT win over Northern Kentucky after Andy Listerman missed a 5-footer at the buzzer: did you think that Listerman got fouled, and what did it mean to you to win the title? Winning a title was just the cherry on top of my college career and got me invited to a bunch of pre-draft camps. I remember that he almost made the shot but I do not recall whether he was fouled.
In the summer of 1997 you were drafted in the 2nd round by Philly: did you see that as a validation of your college career, or the realization of a lifelong dream of reaching the NBA, or other? It was definitely a lifelong dream…but I wanted to go in the 1st round! I knew that I was going to be drafted: I considered coming out after my junior year but was glad to finally get the payoff.
You played 15 games for the 76ers: what is your favorite memory from your time in the NBA? It was great to play with a legend like Allen Iverson but my favorite memory is when Coach Larry Brown gave me a chance to play against Portland. We had 6-7 guys who were hurt that night and I ended up getting about 8 REB in 10 minutes while battling Rasheed Wallace/Brian Grant: I felt great about holding my own. Every time I got an opportunity I tried to show what I could do: I just wish that I had more opportunities.
You later spent a decade playing basketball all over the world: what did you learn from these experiences, and how did basketball in the NBA compare to basketball overseas? I tell other guys that playing abroad is not for everybody: you can make a good living but there are many barriers (language, culture, etc.). In the NBA we would just practice once in the morning and lift some weights, but when I played abroad we would practice twice a day until we got it right. That is why the European players have such well-crafted games and work harder than us over there, even though the US players are more naturally athletic. The coaches in Europe are very demanding and are old-school guys who require you to adjust to their mindset. I remember watching a young Dirk Nowitzki work hard both before and after practice.
After retiring you became a high school coach: how do you like coaching, and what do you hope to do in the future? I would love to become a head coach 1 day but right now I just enjoy being an assistant coach. I have so much to offer the younger generation.