Former UConn forward Jaylin Stewart commits to SMU

WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 27: Jaylin Stewart #3 of the UConn Huskies reacts after shooting a three point basket against the Michigan State Spartans during the first half in the Sweet Sixteen of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Capital One Arena on March 27, 2026 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Former UConn men’s basketball forward and national champion Jaylin Stewart has announced his commitment to transfer to SMU on Instagram.

The junior from Seattle was a key piece off the bench for the Huskies the past three seasons, making a few starts due to injury as well. He averaged 4.0 points on nearly 50% from the field in 14.2 minutes per game across 104 appearances at UConn in three seasons.

Stewart started 12 games this past year for the Huskies, most of which came while Braylon Mullins was coming back from an ankle injury during non-conference play. He scored a season-high 11 points on opening night against New Haven and, during his sophomore year, scored a career-high 16 points twice, against UMES and Memphis.

He dealt with some injury issues late in the season, missing the final three games of the regular season, all of the Big East Tournament, and the first two rounds of the NCAA Tournament due to a knee injury. He returned and scored seven points in the last four games of the season, including a three in the Final Four against Illinois.

Returning to UConn to finish out his career was certainly an option for Stewart, but with Jayden Ross fitting better in the rotation and newcomers such as Colben Landrew and Nikolas Khamenia at similar positions, he would have faced another offseason of uncertain playing time in his last year. He’ll have an expanded role with the Mustangs in the ACC for sure.