A report by Kelly Iko of The Athletic says the San Antonio Spurs are interested in UConn Huskies standout Stephon Castle. The freshman guard has been gaining steam leading up to the NBA Draft where the Silver and Black have the fourth and eighth selections in the first round. Castle helped lead Connecticut to the 2024 national title, upping his play in the Final Four.
Why the Spurs might be interested in Stephon Castle
At 6-foot-6, 210 pounds, Castle has a frame that already translates to the NBA. The 19-year-old out of Covington, Georgia earned Big East Freshman of the Year honors this past season en route to earning the league's Freshmen of the Year. In 34 games, he averaged 11.1 points, 4.7 rebounds and 2.9 assists in 32 minutes per contest. Castle shot 47% from the field and 76% from the free throw line.
The 2023 McDonald's All-American saved his best for when it mattered last month, leading the Huskies with 21 points in the national semifinal win vs. the Alabama Crimson Tide. He followed that performance with another night that came in well about his average with 15 points and 5 rebounds in the championship match-up against a Purdue Boilermakers squad that also earned a number one seed in the tournament.
Since early April, Castle has been measured with a 6-foot-9 wingspan and a standing reach of 8-foot-6. That's according to basketball database manager Michael Visenberg.
Where Castle fits within the Spurs needs
The talking heads seem to be agree that San Antonio is targeting a point guard. Interestingly enough though, Castle wasn't necessarily a classic point guard for the Huskies. ESPN's Jonathon Givony reports the UConn product is turning down workout invitations with teams that have a starting point guard in place. If true, the Spurs would generally fit that preference.
Perhaps not the team's biggest problem, the “one” position was most in flux for the better part of the season. After they started the year with natural forward Jeremy Sochan there, about a month in they pivoted to a rotation that consisted of Malaki Branham and Cedi Osman for a couple of games before they settled on Tre Jones. While a good player, Jones, who averaged 10 points and team high 6.2 assists per game, is considered a back-up in the NBA.
Enter Castle. Possibly. And where?
In citing his Final Four stats above, it should also be noted that he dished out a pedestrian three assists through 34 minutes in the title clinching victory. Teammate Tristen Newton led the champs with seven that night. Castle had two assists in the semifinal. Additionally, the Huskies fifth leading scorer shot just 27% from three-point range for the season.
With defensive skill and length to match, Castle may be more effective on the wing in the pros – even in this day and age of position-less basketball. It is perimeter play in which the Spurs lack. Second leading scorer Devin Vassell is their best option in terms of slashing into the lane and creating opportunities for others, but it's an area of his game he openly admits could and has improved.
While it appears Castle could be a fit in the Alamo City, how might be the better question.
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