NBA name San Antonio Spurs' Stephon Castle as rookie of the year after impressive season

NBA name San Antonio Spurs' Stephon Castle as rookie of the year after impressive season

San Antonio Spurs guard Stephon Castle has been crowned the 2024-25 NBA Rookie of the Year, earning 92 of 100 first-place votes and 482 points, well ahead of Atlanta’s Zaccharie Risacher (245 points) and Memphis’ Jaylen Wells (123 points). Selected fourth overall from UConn, Castle played 81 games, averaging 14.7 points, 4.1 assists, 3.7 rebounds, and 0.91 steals. He led all rookies in total points (1,190), steals (74), and free throws made (249), with 26 games scoring 20 or more points, including two 30-point performances and five double-doubles. His post-All-Star break surge—17.8 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 5.0 assists per game—highlighted his growth. Castle’s versatility earned him the Castrol Rising Stars MVP and Western Conference Rookie of the Month honors for January and March. He becomes the fourth Spur to win the award, following David Robinson, Tim Duncan, and Victor Wembanyama, making San Antonio the first team since the Minnesota Timberwolves (2014-15, 2015-16) to have consecutive Rookie of the Year winners. Castle’s two-way play, honed alongside veterans like Chris Paul, has solidified his role as a cornerstone for the Spurs’ future. His ability to impact both ends of the court, combined with his clutch scoring and playmaking, has drawn praise across the league. As San Antonio continues its rebuild, Castle’s emergence signals a promising trajectory for the franchise.

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