Aron Stewart, a legendary figure in University of Richmond basketball history and a dedicated community servant, passed away on February 20, 2026, at the age of 75 in Richmond, Virginia. Born in Jersey City, New Jersey, Stewart left an indelible mark on the sport with his exceptional scoring prowess and leadership, particularly during his collegiate career. His passing prompted tributes from his alma mater, with the University of Richmond Athletics publishing 'Spiders Hall-of-Famer Aron Stewart Dies at 75' on March 5, 2026, and the Richmond Free Press reflecting on his impact in an article titled 'Persistent Aron Stewart, one of Richmond's great hoops stars, dies' on March 6, 2026.

Stewart first showcased his remarkable talent at Lincoln High School in Jersey City, New Jersey, from 1965-66 to 1968-69, where he played shooting guard and small forward, only making the varsity team in his senior year and starting one game. He then became a standout junior college player at Essex County College. In his sophomore season, he led all junior college players in the United States with an astounding 36.6 points per game average, scoring 1,019 points and earning him First Team NJCAA All-American honors in 1971. His dominant performances quickly drew national attention.

After graduating from Essex County College, Stewart briefly enrolled at Temple University but did not play for the school before transferring to the University of Richmond in 1972. Due to NCAA transfer eligibility rules, he missed the first five games of his junior year, a period during which the Spiders went winless. Upon his debut, Stewart made an immediate impact, leading the team to an upset victory. During his junior year in 1972-73, he set a Richmond record by averaging 30.2 points per game, ranking fifth nationally, and his outstanding play earned him the prestigious Southern Conference Player of the Year award.

His senior season in 1973-74 saw him continue to excel, averaging 26.5 points and 12 rebounds per game, the latter being the Spiders' fifth-highest season average. Stewart was named team captain during this season, and his leadership was instrumental in guiding the Spiders to a 16-12 record, marking the program's first winning season in 16 years. For his efforts, he was named First Team All-Southern Conference and a Helms Foundation All-American for the second consecutive season, and also earned the Southern Conference Tournament MVP award.

Following his junior year, Stewart was drafted by the Capital Bullets in the fourth round (65th overall) of the 1973 NBA Draft, and also by the Virginia Squires in the sixth round of the 1973 ABA Draft, but he elected to return to Richmond for his senior season. After his senior year, he was again drafted by the Cleveland Cavaliers in the sixth round (93rd overall) of the 1974 NBA Draft. In just 44 career games at the University of Richmond, he accumulated 1,237 points, placing him 19th on the school's all-time scoring list. His highest single-game scoring performance was 42 points against Appalachian State in 1973, ranking as the fifth-most by a Spider in a single game, and he holds four of the top 10 single-game field goals made records at Richmond. His 663 points in the 1973-74 season represent the fourth-highest single-season total at Richmond.

Beyond his statistical achievements, Stewart held significant historical importance as the second African-American to play for the University of Richmond, following Carlton Mack who joined in 1971. On February 23, 1974, the University of Richmond honored him with an 'Aron Stewart Day' during the regular season finale. During a halftime ceremony, legendary Coach Malcolm 'Mac' Pitt publicly announced that Stewart's No. 30 jersey would 'never be worn again' by a Spider basketball player. However, his No. 30 jersey was subsequently worn by other players, a decision that led Stewart to express bitterness and claims of discrimination, even launching a Change.org petition in 2016 to address the unretired status of his number.

While his professional basketball career did not take off as anticipated, Stewart found a new calling in public service. He returned to Richmond and dedicated himself to helping others, initially working in sales and for Philip Morris. In the late 1980s, he joined the Richmond Behavioral Health Authority, where he counseled individuals with long-standing mental illnesses.

Stewart's enduring legacy at the University of Richmond was formally recognized in 2010 when he was inducted into the University of Richmond Athletics Hall of Fame. Three years later, in 2013, he was honored as one of the 16 members of the men's basketball 'All-Time Team,' solidifying his place among the program's greatest players. His career average of 28.1 points per game remains a school record, a testament to his extraordinary impact on the court.