He may never be the best player on his own team, but Stephon Castle is easily the best player from the 2024 NBA Draft.
If there was ever any debate, the reigning Rookie of the Year put it all to rest by being one of the biggest pieces of the Spurs' first-round domination of the Blazers.
The 4th overall pick in '24 wasn't a finished product coming out of UConn.
Despite helping the Huskies win a national title, the knock on him was that he was all defense, without a jump shot.
But after scoring 14.7 points during his ROY season, he got better in every category this year.
And during these playoffs, he's gone next level.
2024-25 - 14.7 pts, 3.7 rebs, 4.1 asts
2025-26 - 16.7 pts, 5.3 rebs, 7.4 asts
Playoffs - 19.3 pts, 4.2 rebs, 5.8 asts
Not only that, but all 3 players taken before him in the draft (Zacharie Risacher, Alex Sarr, Reed Sheppard) are currently sitting at home watching him advance.
When it comes to the '24 draft class, it's clear now more than ever that Castle is king.
He may never be the best player on his own team, but Stephon Castle is easily the best player from the 2024 NBA Draft.
If there was ever any debate, the reigning Rookie of the Year put it all to rest by being one of the biggest pieces of the Spurs' first-round domination of the Blazers.
The 4th overall pick in '24 wasn't a finished product coming out of UConn.
Despite helping the Huskies win a national title, the knock on him was that he was all defense, without a jump shot.
But after scoring 14.7 points during his ROY season, he got better in every category this year.
And during these playoffs, he's gone next level.
2024-25 - 14.7 pts, 3.7 rebs, 4.1 asts
2025-26 - 16.7 pts, 5.3 rebs, 7.4 asts
Playoffs - 19.3 pts, 4.2 rebs, 5.8 asts
Not only that, but all 3 players taken before him in the draft (Zacharie Risacher, Alex Sarr, Reed Sheppard) are currently sitting at home watching him advance.
When it comes to the '24 draft class, it's clear now more than ever that Castle is king.
