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The San Antonio Spurs gave Victor Wembanyama a new running mate in the 2024 NBA draft, selecting UConn guard Stephon Castle with the No. 4 overall pick.
Castle is coming off an incredible freshman campaign with the Huskies, securing a spot in the starting lineup and helping the team earn a second consecutive national title.
After the Spurs dealt with inconsistency in the backcourt throughout the 2023-24 season, fans were looking forward to seeing the 19-year-old grow alongside Wembanyama.
Jake @jakeweingarten
Stephon Castle is headed to San Antonio. One of my early picks for pick of the draft. This kid could’ve went number one. Elite defensive player, will get more offensive opportunity in San Antonio as well.<br><br>Wemby & Castle. <a href=”https://t.co/30herPL5VJ”>pic.twitter.com/30herPL5VJ</a>
Kevin O’Connor @KevinOConnorNBA
Castle + Wembanyama on defense…gonna be tough as hell to score on the Spurs. And I love the potential of them together on offense too. Castle is willing to do it all, he can play typical PG but also run inverted stuff as a screener for Wemby. Pop can get creative. <a href=”https://t.co/bQRiLNqC43″>https://t.co/bQRiLNqC43</a>
Castle averaged 11.1 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 2.9 assists per game in his lone season at UConn. While he struggled from behind the arc with a 26.7 three-point percentage, he still shot 47.2 percent from the field and knocked down 75.5 percent of his free throws.
He’s also a capable defender, able to guard multiple positions with his 6’6″ frame. Castle should help improve a Spurs team that ranked No. 21 in defensive rating last season (via NBA.com).
Bleacher Report’s Jonathan Wasserman mentioned the guard’s ability to run the pick-and-roll in his scouting report of Castle.
“Castle’s ability to handle and facilitate at 6’6″ and 215 pounds separates him as one of the most efficient pick-and-roll operators in this year’s draft class,” Wasserman wrote. “He excelled in ball screens without a reliable pull-up, mostly due to his live-dribble passing and ability to use pacing and physicality while taking it to the rim.”
Although he may not take over lead ball-handling duties for San Antonio in his rookie year, he should still fit seamlessly in head coach Gregg Popovich’s system. Despite the Spurs’ paltry 22-60 record, they still averaged the second-most assists per game among all NBA teams throughout the 2023-24 season.
As San Antonio looks to build around Wembanyama after his 2024 Rookie of the Year win, Castle projects as an ideal partner for the former No. 1 overall pick on both ends of the court.
First appeared on bleacherreport.com