San Antonio defender Stephon Castle was named NBA Rookie of the Year on Tuesday, joining Victor Wembanyama as the second consecutive Spurs player to win the award.

The Castle overwhelmingly won the Atlanta Hawks star Zaccharie Risacher, who was the No. 1 pick in the draft last summer, while Memphis Grizzlies rookie Jaylen Wells. Compared to the 245 points Lissacher scored, his total score was 482. Wells ended in third place.

advertise

After a single-game outstanding season at UConn, Castle joined the Spurs in the 2024 draft, where he led the Huskimos to the second consecutive NCAA title as a freshman.

Castle played with veteran Chris Paul on a Spurs team at point guard and his rookie season started on the bench. Eventually, he won a part-time job in the starting lineup, morphing into a full-time role in the backcourt in the final month of the season after De'aaron Fox suffered a finger injury.

In 81 games, including 47 games, each game averaged 14.7 points, 4.1 assists, 3.7 rebounds and 0.9 steals per game, while shooting 42.8% from the field and 28.5% from the 3-point range.

Castle won Rookie of the Year from a relatively low rookie course and did not offer many challengers for the award. Rissacher (ranked first overall) and Thrall (ranked second overall, the Wizard) were selected as the projects, and each appeared to be part of their respective rookie campaigns.

advertise

Risacher is a 6-8 forward, averaging 12.6 points and 3.6 rebounds while shooting 45.8% from the field and 35.5% from the field from 3 points. Sarr is a 7-foot center who flashes over his two-way direction as the season progresses, but his efficiency struggles. He averaged 13 points, 6.5 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.5 blocks per game while shooting 39.4% per game and 39.8% attempts at 5.1 3-pointers per game.

Meanwhile, Reed Sheppard struggled to find game time in the IME Udoka rocket rotation after picking third overall in Houston. He played only 12.6 minutes per game in 52 games, averaging 4.4 points, 1.5 rebounds and 1.4 assists, while 33.8% of his field goal percentage was 33.8%. It's a popular preseason draft pick that competes for Rookie of the Year, and the Sheppard's campaign went crazy before it was under-game.

advertise

Finally, despite his struggles with efficiency, the Castle offers the most consistent and productive rookie sport. He works on both ends of the floor and regularly protects the opposing team's highest weapon.

Together with Wembanyama and Fox, Castle displays an integral part of San Antonio’s promising core advancement. There are Spurs again in the lottery and they will have the chance to add another talented young player to the NBA draft in June.