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James Hansen
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Photo by Jamie Schwaberow/NCAA Photos via Getty Images
Stephon Castle is the type of player every coach wants
Stephon Castle and the UConn Huskies had one of the most dominant seasons in college basketball for a long time. They were 37-3 for the season and never looked close to losing during the tournament. Even though Stephon Castle wasn’t the leading scorer or lead playmaker, he had his fingerprint on everything the Huskies did. Castle, paired with Donovan Clingan defending the rim, helped lead an elite level defense that stifled teams night after night. On the offensive end, Castle was an extremely unselfish player moving the ball within the offense and finding the open man. The thing that Castle worried about every night was how to win the game, not things like stats or his draft stock. That’s the essence of Stephon Castle and he’s the exact type of guy you want on your team as you are building towards eventual contention.
Stats
Averages
MP 27.0, FG 47.2%, 3P 26.7%, FT 75.5%, PTS 11.1, REB 4.7, AST 2.9, BLK .5, STL.8
PER 36
MP 36, 47.2, 3P% 26.7, FT 75.5%, PTS 14.8, REB 6.2, AST 3.9, BLK 0.7, STL 1.1
Info
TEAM UConn
YEAR Freshman
POSITION PG/SG
HEIGHT 6’6”
WEIGHT 190 lbs
AGE 19.48 yrs
DRAFT AGE 19.63 yrs
BIRTHDATE Nov 1, 2004
NATION USA
HOMETOWN Covington, GA
HIGH SCHOOL Newton High School
ESPN 100 #12 | 2023
Scouting Report
Stephon Castle is a 6’6” combo guard that excels on the defensive end while being a ball handler/connector offensively. Castle is a high character, worker who is most worried about winning the game. You see that in his all-around stats with his stat sheet always including impressive rebounding, assists, and steals. Castle will come into the league and have a ceiling of someone like Jalen Suggs, Marcus Smart, or Jrue Holiday. If his jump shot can improve, he has all-star potential.
Strengths
Castle is the perfect size for a shooting guard and comes in as more of a connector than he is as a scorer. He has a strong frame and great athleticism that he uses well to rebound the ball, as well as defend. Castle moves with patience on the offensive end, but you can see a potential nice first step that can lead to his potential as an explosive finisher. The percentages aren’t there for his 3-point shot, but Castle has a nice form to his jump shot. With his 75% shooting from the free throw line, there is a lot of potential for him to improve on that shot. The reports on Castle are that he’s a hard worker, high character guy. It’s hard to imagine him not improving.
Weaknesses
His three-point shot. Castle shot 26.7% from three and it might be the thing that scares some front offices from drafting him. That would be a huge mistake that could lead Castle to falling tot he Jazz.
Conclusion
If Castle is on the board at 8 for the Jazz, they must make this pick. Castle is the type of guy who can bring everything Utah needs: defense and playmaking. Utah needs more than just those things, but Castle is the type of guy you can see on the Jazz for years.
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