Stephon Castle Wins Rookie of the Year for Spurs Again

San Antonio, Texas — Stephon Castle has won the 2024-25 NBA Rookie of the Year award, the league announced Tuesday. Castle, a guard for the San Antonio Spurs, received 92 of the first-place votes from a global panel of 100 voters.

Castle is the second consecutive Spurs player to earn this title, following Victor Wembanyama, the No. 1 overall pick in 2023. He joins a prestigious group of past winners, including Hall of Famers Tim Duncan and David Robinson, who also won the award.

Notably, Castle was not the top overall pick but was selected fourth in what was viewed as a weaker draft class. Early favorite Zaccharie Risacher of the Atlanta Hawks received five first-place votes, while Jaylen Wells from the Memphis Grizzlies received three.

During the season, Castle averaged 14.7 points, 4.1 assists, and 3.7 rebounds. His performance improved significantly after he became a starter in the eighth game of the season, with averages of 16.6 points, 4 rebounds, and 4.9 assists in the 47 games he started.

Castle’s contributions also extended to his defense, which helped him win a national championship at the University of Connecticut. Although still developing his shooting skills, his overall performance and native defensive prowess showcased his potential.

The Spurs have now drafted the last two Rookie of the Year winners and are well-positioned for more success. The team heads into the upcoming draft with two lottery picks, enhancing their chances for additional talent to continue their rebuild.

Castle’s strong showing, including a standout performance during All-Star Weekend, highlights his ability and promise in the league. With over 1,000 points, 250 rebounds, 250 assists, and 70 steals during the season, he stands among the ranks of rising stars.

As the Spurs look to the future, Castle plays a central role, and the excitement surrounding his potential continues to grow.