Michael C. Wright
San Antonio – Slow Step, Deletion – Anyone who is calling this new variation of the famous EurosTEP – San Antonio Rookie Stephon Castle He learned it and dominated it in his first week as a spur.
“I was taught that in one of my first training,” Castle told Espn.
The fourth choice of the draft of the NBA 2024, Castle, then filled the transfer to his already deep bag and the adversaries removed with her on the way to capture honors of the year 2024-25 NBA. Castle received 92 votes first to take the runner -up prize Zaccharie Risacher from Atlanta Hawks. Memphis Grizzlies Rookie Jaylen Wells He came third. Castle became the fourth spur to win the prize, joining Victor WembanyamaTim Duncan and David Robinson.
“I have always been very confident as a player,” Castle told Espn. “So I felt there was no doubt in my mind that I would eventually come to this point, especially with all the work I put in. I felt I was just inevitable.
San Antonio has become the fifth team of NBA history and only the second team in the last 50 years to have winners of the beginner of the year. Andrew Wiggins (2015) and Karl-ANTHONY-TOWNS (2016) are the last consecutive winners of the prize for a franchise (Minnesota).
“We have a lot of history in this organization,” Castle told ESPN. “So adding something else to our trophy case would mean a lot, especially if it’s something my name is engraved.”
Castle played 80 games as a beginner, from 47, and led all the novices in total (1,190), made field goals (423), thefts (74). Hit more than 100 more free throws (249) than any other first -year player, in addition to average 4.1 assists, 3.7 rebounds and 0.91 robberies. Castle is Spurs’s first rookie from Duncan to finish his first season ranked in the first two teams in both points and assists.
Castle is also the first player of the University of Connecticut to win a rookie of the year since Emeka Okafor captured him in 2004-05 with the Charlotte Bobcats. The 14.7 Points of Castelo per game classify as the least for a beginner of the year since 2016-17, when Malcolm Brogdon average 10.2 points with the Milwaukee Bucks.
“The first thing I think is Rookie of the Year, (you) has a chance to win it,” said Spurs star Victor Wembanyama. “So, it’s a great milestone. I’m really proud of Steph for what he has done in his league adaptation and growth.”
The 2025 and twice -Rookie Rissing Stars MVP of the West Conference month (January and March), Castle was the only player in his draft class over 1,000 points, scoring double figures in a better better of 60 games. Castle produced 26 exits with 20 points or more and two performances of 30 points, as well as setting up five double doubles and 18 matches with multiple thefts.
Castle averaged 12.9 points, 2.8 rebounds and 3.5 assists in the first half of the season before accumulating production after the All-Star break up to 17.8 points, 5.1 rebounds and 5.0 assists.
Spurs expects Castle to form one of the organization’s construction blocks in the future with Wembanyama and the new incorporation De’aaron fox.
“It will be a dynamic force to keep in mind,” said Spurs’s acting coach Mitch Johnson.
As for the castle, you are ready to return to the lab after taking the advice of the veteran teammate Chris paul To attend some post -time games to feel what’s ahead. Castle dominated his slow -patented slow passage during week 1 with the Spurs. So, of course, he is excited about what he can do throughout a season in San Antonio.
“This is my first out of season,” Castle told Espn. “So finally I have the opportunity to work alone in my game. Honestly, it’s the first season I am not doing some kind of summer training, preparing for a team, aau or something. So I can really get into the lab and work in everything: make it easier, I need to make my handling more sharply.