George Mason University women\u2019s basketball head coach\u00a0Vanessa Blair-Lewis\u00a0has announced the addition of\u00a0Brandon Stewart\u00a0to the Patriots\u2019 staff as Director of Player Personnel ahead of the 2025\u201326 season.<\/p>\n
A native of Miami, Fla., Stewart brings a wealth of playing, coaching, and player development experience to Fairfax. His basketball journey began at Bethune-Cookman University, where he started as a practice player for Coach Blair-Lewis and the women\u2019s team before walking on to the men\u2019s program. Stewart flourished as a Division I student-athlete, earning multiple Player of the Week honors and leading the team in scoring during his senior season.<\/p>\n
\u201cBrandon embodies the next generation of player development\u2014loyal, passionate, and driven by a relentless hunger for greatness. His work ethic and basketball IQ are unmatched, and his vision will continue to elevate our program,\u201d said Blair-Lewis. \u201cHe\u2019s not\u00a0just developing players\u2014he\u2019s part of the roots of our family tree, and we\u2019re stronger because he\u2019s growing with us.\u201d<\/p>\n
After graduating, Stewart transitioned into coaching, where he quickly made an impact. Over a six-year span\u2014five seasons at Mainland High School and one at St. Thomas Aquinas\u2014he was named Coach of the Year four times. Under his leadership, Mainland reached back-to-back Final Fours and won the school\u2019s first-ever state championship in girls basketball, followed by a state runner-up finish the following year.<\/p>\n
\u201cI am blessed to be able to be apart of a staff so amazing and so welcoming, Coach Blair-Lewis is a tremendous leader and it\u2019s it my pleasure to serve the mission of our young people at George Mason,\u201d said Stewart.<\/p>\n
In addition to his high school coaching success, Stewart has spent the last four years with the prestigious Essence Girls Basketball Nike EYBL AAU program, working closely with renowned coach Kimberly Davis-Powell to help recruit and develop elite-level talent.<\/p>\n
Stewart earned a Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies and a Master of Science in Organizational Leadership from Bethune-Cookman University. He is known for his holistic approach to player development, with an emphasis on mentorship, communication, and strategic growth on and off the court.<\/p>\n
Off the hardwood, Stewart enjoys watching educational videos, solving escape rooms, and writing music and poetry\u2014creative outlets that reflect the passion and innovation he brings to every aspect of his work.<\/p>\n
Stewart joins the Patriots as they continue to build a championship culture under Coach Blair-Lewis, bringing with him a commitment to excellence and a proven track record of success.<\/p>\n