SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 09: Stephon Castle #5 of the San Antonio Spurs dribbles against … More
San Antonio Spurs guard Stephon Castle has been named the NBA Kia Rookie of the Year for the 2024-25 season. Castle becomes the second Spurs player in a row to win the award, after his teammate Victor Wembanyama won it last season. Castle went fourth overall to the Spurs in last year’s NBA draft and the early returns on the pick are looking promising.
Castle beat out first overall pick and Atlanta Hawks forward Zacharie Risacher, as well as Memphis Grizzlies guard Jaylen Wells for this award. Castle averaged 14.7 pints per game, along with 4.1 assists per game in 81 games during his award-winning rookie campaign. Castle’s ability to drive and finish in the paint is what empowered the bulk of his scoring. His combination of ball handling along with body control and leaping ability made him adept at finishing amongst the trees this season.
Castle is a cherished part of the young core in San Antonio, and this award further reinstates the belief that he has loads of potential waiting to be untapped. Alongside the newly acquired De’Aaron Fox and Wembanyama he will be at the forefront of San Antonio’s path back to NBA relevance in this generation.
