While most of the NBA world knows Isaiah Stewart as an ultra-physical, bullyish type of center, who isn't afraid to get dirty, he has a completely different personality off the court. Once the bright lights of the association fade, Stewart stops being that fiery muscle of the Detroit Pistons and turns into a date farmer.
Yeah, you read that right, "Beef Stew" revealed how he owns a couple of date farms that keep him busy when he is not on the court, and especially during the offseason.
"Oh, don't put me on the spot… I have two hubs out in Southern California…" Stewart told in his recent appearance on "The Old Man and The Three" podcast.
Growing up in Rochester, New York, was quite a different life from the one Isaiah pictured while growing up; however, the thought of owning his own piece of land and working on it, providing for his family, was something that his father instilled in him, and now he continues to follow that path. Even so, his teammate Duncan Robinson recalled a situation in which the Pistons were gathering in the offseason, and Beef Stew made a promise that once he has kids, he can send them right to Stewart's farm, where they will get the basics, learn how to live off the land and understand real work.
And while someone might think that Isaiah is just the guy behind the money who invests in the farms, he actually does a bit of his fair share of work with his hands. And he admits it also helped him on the NBA hardwood as well.
"It's just a lot of ground work, a lot of clearing and planting, right now… Once you put life into the ground and you gotta take care of the trees until they start to get you something," the Pistons enforcer added. "When we out there in the offseason, I'm out in the field working. But, during the season I have a property manager, and a team about nine, right now. Those guys work hard, they get stuff done."
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There is no doubt that Stewart's strength comes from the hard work he puts in the gym; however, there is probably more than enough that happens out there in the field during the summer. And for most of his career, he has put it to good use. Yeah, he is known for getting into a scuffle here and there, but it is that old school "Bad Boy" Pistons spirit still living.
"I was on the farm, moving, throwing stuff, and I was like, 'This better translate to the court,'" he said with a laugh.
And translate it did.
The 6'8" big man is averaging 10.0 points, 5.1 boards and 1.6 blocks off the bench for the Pistons this campaign. And whenever his number is called, he is ready to get into the thick of things. It's a guy that you love to have on your squad, and he will definitely be an important piece for Detroit in their quest for the Larry O'Brien trophy come June. And maybe, the date farm will have to wait a little bit if that happens.
This story was originally published by Basketball Network on Mar 18, 2026, where it first appeared in the Off The Court section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
