Clent Stewart
Kansas State Basketball, 2004-2008
Clent Stewart is regarded as one of the most notable Kansas State basketball players of the mid-2000’s. A native of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, Clent appeared in 242 games over his four years, scoring nearly 1,400 points in his Wildcat career. His tenure at Kansas State was made unique by the fact that he played for three different coaches over four seasons. Originally recruited by Jim Woolridge, he would then play for both Bob Huggins & Frank Martin his final two seasons. Clent currently resides in Bartlesville, Oklahoma where he works for Phillips 66, and is also the Head Basketball Coach at Bartlesville High School. Clent is married to his K-State sweetheart, Stephanie, and has three children.
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I'm with Clent Stewart, the one and only former K State Wildcat Legend. So my friend, what initially brought you to Manhattan? What brought you to K State?
It was the community. The people. When I came on my visit here, it felt like it was home, it felt like it was family. It’s always been that way, and now that I've been out of here for 15 years, when I come back, it still feels like family. I love it. I love being back, and I love our community, and our fan base a thousand percent.
What was your favorite thing about your Kansas State playing days?
Favorite thing? Oh, man. The games were phenomenal. Obviously playing against KU was a lot of fun, mostly because of how crazy the rivalry is. Myself, I had the chance to play them and beat them at home my senior year, and beat them in Lawrence my sophomore year. Those were definitely some one of my favorites. And of course, I couldn't leave out, meeting my wife at K-State and getting engaged on senior night in middle of the court. So, those are some of the things I remember, and I’ll cherish for the rest of my life.
When people think of the revitalization of Kansas State basketball: we think of Coach Huggins, Coach Frank Martin - and Clent Stewart getting engaged on Senior Night! <laugh>
Those three, that was the pinnacle right there! <laugh> I was so lucky that Frank allowed me to do that. When I asked him, it was a no-brainer. He was like, ‘definitely, let's do it!’ I was just blessed man to be around some good coaches, and guys that not only are good coaches on the floor, but care about the guys off the floor as well.
So what are you doing now, what are you up to these days?
I'm working down at Phillips 66 in Bartlesville, Oklahoma. I’ve been there for 15 years. Then I’m also the head coach at Bartlesville High School as well. I've been doing that for 10 years, so I’m just trying to stay busy. I’ve got three kids now, and life is going. It's moving.
So do we give you credit for bringing David Castillo (Bartlesville Native, K-State basketball, Class of 2024 commit) to Manhattan?
You know, it's amazing. I'm so happy for him, and with him obviously coming to K State. He could've gone about anywhere in the country. You know, obviously I have ties. He has a lot of ties here, too. A couple guys that grew up in Bartlesville, like A.J. Parker, who played football here. So it's always been something that's kind of been on his radar. He obviously had some good schools to choose from, and I'm glad he chose my alma mater. I couldn't be more happy for him coming to K State, but I'd be happy for him anywhere. He is just a great kid and I think our fan base is going to love him.
So as we stand at the MCC gym, he's feet away from us. And I even asked him, I said, what do you think about Manhattan? And he's like, “this is too cool.” So it always goes back to the family thing, right?
That's it. That's it. That’s why I think he's going to fit in really well here. I mean, because he's close to this family. He is a loyal kid, but man, on the basketball floor, he competes. He can shoot the basketball. He has high I.Q. I think when he gets here, and is learning from Tang and the staff, it’s going to unlock him even more. I'm excited for him in the class of 2024.
So now the million dollar question I love asking everybody. What's the thing you miss the most about Manhattan, Kansas?
Oh, Manhattan, Kansas. What I miss. It's crazy. It's changed so much since I got out. I mean, 15 years ago. Now it's not even the same town. When I come back, I'm just like, ‘it's not the same’! <laugh>. But it's awesome. I think just interacting with our fan base, and alumni and people who just support K State and just love K State. Every time I come back, and I meet people, and they just talk about, ‘yeah, I remember watching you 15 years ago, and man, just thank you.’ People thank me, and I'm like, ‘No, thank you guys for supporting me, and supporting the team, and continuing to support K State throughout, man.’ So that's what I miss the most and love about coming back. I love it because I really feel the genuine love from people when I'm here in Manhattan.
Well, again, it's great people like you that keep coming back to make Manhattan, and the alumni base that much stronger that makes K-State really what it is. It's all about the people.
No, I appreciate that. It is all about the people. We're family, so I appreciate that.
It's Clent with an ‘e’, not an ‘I’ - get it, right! <laugh>
<laugh>. That's it. That's it, <laugh>.
Clent, thank you so much for your time. I appreciate it!
I appreciate you my friend. This was awesome!
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