Stephon Castle won a national championship with the University of Connecticut in his lone college season. The 20-year-old guard has now earned a major individual accolade – the NBA’s Rookie of the Year Award, , the league announced in a press release.
Castle is the second consecutive San Antonio player to earn Rookie of the Year recognition. Victor Wembanyama captured the award last spring.
Castle appeared in all but one of the Spurs‘ games this season after being selected with the No. 4 overall pick last June. He averaged 14.7 points, 3.7 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 0.9 steals in 26.7 minutes per game. Castle, who started 47 games, shot 42.8% from the field.
Castle became a consistent offensive force as the season progressed and reached the 20-point mark 26 times. His post-All-Star averages were 17.8 PPG, 5.1 RPG, and 5.0 APG in 30 games.
That was enough for him take down the top prize by a landslide over the two other finalists.
Top pick Zaccharie Risacher appeared in 75 games, including 73 starts, for the Hawks. The 6’8″ forward finished the season with averages of 12.6 points, 3.6 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game, shooting 45.8% from the field overall and 35.5% from long range. Risacher scored 30 or more points in four games.
Jaylen Wells proved to be a diamond in the rough for the Grizzlies. The 39th overall pick started 74 of the 79 games in which he played. Wells wasn’t a big part of Memphis’ offense but still averaged 10.4 points, 3.4 rebounds and 1.7 assists per night while taking on challenging defensive assignments.
Castle received 92 of a possible 100 votes from a global media panel and accumulated 482 points, according to the league (Twitter link). Risacher had five first-place votes and 245 points, while Wells received three first-place votes and 123 points.
Alex Sarr, Zach Edey, Kel’el Ware, Matas Buzelis, and Jared McCain also received votes. The required 65-game minimum doesn’t apply to Rookie of the Year voting, which is why a player like McCain, who suffered a season-ending injury after just 23 outings, was eligible.
Castle’s scoring average is the second lowest among ROY winners in the last 22 seasons. Only Malcolm Brogdon (2017) had a lower average (10.2 PPG) during that span.
In a very weak draft class someone had to win it.
What a classless response. Bet you’ll be arguing McCain should be eligible next year even though hes not a rookie anymore. Or maybe we can come up with another award for Embiid hurtest feelings…smdh
McCain probably would have won it with a full season, especially with everyone out he’s have probably closer to 16-17 ppg.
Almost Castle by default… but Edey and Ware should have had a few more votes imo.
McCain was having a great season. Edey has a lot of flaws in his game. He is a big body that can rebound but needs to be a lot quicker on his feet more athletic players can get by him.
All 3 candidates had negative VORP stats, what an astonishingly bad rookie class this was lol
I have chills…congratulations
Spurs future is so bright right now. Solid team just need to let go of Chris Paul and bring in a solid 2 way bench player.
And bring in a coach who isn’t a fossil.
If he can’t shoot his 3s better then this will be his peak.
He’s 20, already an elite defender, (guards the opponent’s best player every night), has developed significantly going to the rim and is already an outstanding play maker.
He came to the league having never shot 3’s (in his 1 year in college). He has worked hard and improved but still has work to do. At this point he’s a better offensive player than Kawhi was in his first year (Kawhi averaged less than 10 points and 0.6 3’s). So let’s see where his shooting is in 2 or 3 years – but with him Wemby and Fox the Spurs should return to the playoffs next year and contend a year or two later.
This guy has been playing basketball his whole life. In a couple decades he didn’t figure out how to shoot, but now he’s suddenly going to learn to shoot in the NBA? It never works that way.
Micheal Redd did… but I understand your point.
He reminds of Colin Sexton type ceiling. Great defender though but his 3PT shot needs a lot of work. Right now it’s all about how badly he wants it and continues to develop the right habits and work on his game.
Wells was robbed. Say thanks to Simpson
Castle is a great 2way talent. He has the potential to be first team all D. He avg 26.7 mins a gm. So at 36 mins he could be at 19 pts a gm easy. I find it telling how no one on HR understands the NBA is a 2Way sport. Castle is 6’ 6” SG. Positional size with talent. Gives you the potential to be big time ……
Congratulations player.
Worst draft ever
Zach Edey should be the winner.