The 2024 NBA Draft is about a month away and we here at College Sports Wire are taking stock of the college basketball stars waiting to hear their name called in June. Today we talk about national champion Stephon Castle, who starred as a freshman for the UConn Huskies last season.
Castle looked like a one-time star right away, dropping 29 points, 13 rebounds, seven assists and four steals (on 8-for-13 shooting) in his first two college basketball games against Northern Arizona and Stonehill, respectively.
An injury limited him for the next month, but once he was back and healthy he found his way into a versatile, all-purpose role for the Huskies, helping to replicate the loss of Andre Jackson Jr, who was selected in the previous draft. . season.
Castle had many big games on offense, even on a team with so much talent, scoring 20 or more points on four different occasions, including a career-high 21 on 7-for-13 shooting against Alabama in the Final 4.
He is now projected as a top-ten pick in the 2024 NBA draft, although his desire to play point guard at the next level could limit the number of teams interested in his services.
Below is Castle’s profile, including his combine measurements, strengths and weaknesses as a player, and current projected draft rank and team fits in the NBA:
Bob Donnan-Keynote USA Sports
Of: Covington, Georgia
Juice: University of Connecticut (2023-24)
Statistics 2023-24: 11.1 points, 4.7 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 54.4% from two, 26.7% from three
Robert Deutsch-Keynote USA Sports
Height: 6’6.75
Weight: 210 pounds
Wingspan: 6’9
Standing reach: 8’6
Maximum vertical jump: 37 inches
Brad Penner-Keynote USA Sports
- Great point guard who can create his own shot off the dribble, using his size and strength to finish through contact.
- The variety of movements allows him to be a versatile scorer, capable of taking over games if necessary.
- Selfless style of play, as evidenced by taking on a more complimentary role for UConn’s national championship team.
- He can play 1-3 in a variety of roles, making him a versatile player capable of contributing in multiple ways.
- Tenacious defender who can score 1-3 and has the potential to be elite on that end of the floor thanks to his length, quickness, agility and desire to be great.
- Elite body control, balance and ability to change pace.
Patrick Breen-Arizona Republic
- The exterior shot is a work in progress, could be good over time, but currently can’t be relied on.
- He has made it clear that he wants to be a leader/initiator guy in the NBA. He reportedly only trains for teams that don’t have a lead point guard. He has the versatility to play multiple roles in the NBA, but does he have the will to do it?
- Despite his great defensive instincts and length, he did not generate many steals (0.8 per game) or blocks (0.5)
- He will need to work on avoiding fouls at the next level, often having to sit out early at UConn in foul trouble.
- He showed promise as a facilitator, but it was not a role he fulfilled much. Can he excel in that area at the next level?
David Butler II-Keynote USA Sports
Draft range: Lottery
CSW Drill: No. 10 for Utah Jazz
The equipment fits: A team without a clear point guard, and that needs defense. Utah, San Antonio and Charlotte make sense to some extent.
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