Stephon Castle Named NBA Rookie of the Year After Stellar Debut with spurs
Table of Contents
- 1. Stephon Castle Named NBA Rookie of the Year After Stellar Debut with spurs
- 2. Rookie of the Year Honors: A New Chapter for the Spurs
- 3. Rookie of the Year Voting Results
- 4. Joining Past Company
- 5. Castle’s Dominant Rookie Season: By the Numbers
- 6. A Glimpse into the Future
- 7. Related Articles
- 8. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- 9. “`
- 10. Archyde Interviews: Stephon Castle, NBA Rookie of the Year
- 11. The Interview
Published: 2025/04/30 00:02:31
SAN ANTONIO – Move over, Eurostep. There’s a new variation in town, and it’s propelling San Antonio Spurs rookie Stephon Castle to stardom. The “slow step,” as some are calling it, became Castle’s signature move almost immediately upon joining the team.
“They taught me that in one of my first workouts,” Castle told ESPN.
Castle,the fourth overall pick in the 2024 NBA draft,wasted no time integrating the move into his repertoire.It proved devastating to opponents,as he captured the 2024-25 NBA Rookie of the Year award. Castle secured 92 first-place votes, surpassing Zaccharie Risacher of the Atlanta Hawks. Memphis Grizzlies’ Jaylen Wells finished third in the voting.
Rookie of the Year Honors: A New Chapter for the Spurs
Castle’s achievement marks him as the fourth Spur to receive the honor, joining a distinguished list that includes Victor wembanyama, Tim Duncan, and David Robinson. this also means the Spurs earned back-to-back ROTY awards.
“I’ve always been super confident as a player,” Castle said. “So, I felt like there was no doubt in my mind that I would eventually get to this point, especially with all the work that I put in. I felt like it was just certain to happen. I feel like [confidence is] what realy got me to this point,and not holding myself back from anything.”
Rookie of the Year Voting Results
| Player | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stephon Castle | 92 | 7 | 1 | 482 |
| Zaccharie Risacher | 5 | 64 | 28 | 245 |
| Jaylen Wells | 3 | 23 | 39 | 123 |
| Alex Sarr | — | 5 | 19 | 34 |
| Zach Edey | — | 1 | 7 | 10 |
| Kel’el Ware | — | — | 4 | 4 |
| Matas Buzelis | — | — | 1 | 1 |
| Jared McCain | — | — | 1 | 1 |
Joining Past Company
San Antonio now stands among a select few – the fifth team in NBA history, and only the second in the last half-century – to achieve back-to-back Rookie of the Year awards.
“We have a lot of history in this organization,” Castle said. “So, to add another thing to our trophy case would definitely mean a lot, especially if it’s somthing that my name is being engraved into.”
Castle’s Dominant Rookie Season: By the Numbers
Appearing in 80 games, with 47 starts, Castle led all rookies in total points (1,190), field goals made (423), and steals (74). His free-throw shooting was also a significant factor, making more than 100 more free throws (249) than any other first-year player. Additionally, he averaged 4.1 assists,3.7 rebounds, and 0.91 steals per game. He’s the first Spurs rookie since Duncan to finish in the top two in both points and assists for the team.
castle is also the first player from the University of Connecticut to win Rookie of the Year as Emeka Okafor in 2004-05. His 14.7 points per game is the lowest since Malcolm brogdon averaged 10.2 points in 2016-17.
“The first thing I think about is Rookie of the Year, [is you] get one chance to win it,” Spurs star Victor Wembanyama said. “So, it’s a big, big milestone. I’m really proud of Steph for what he’s done in his adaptation in the league and his growth.”
A Glimpse into the Future
Castle, the MVP of the 2025 Rising Stars game and a two-time Western Conference Rookie of the Month, was the only rookie to surpass 1,000 points. He scored in double figures in a league-best 60 games, had 26 games with 20+ points and two 30-point performances, five double-doubles, and 18 games with multiple steals.
His performance improved in the second half of the season, averaging 17.8 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 5.0 assists after averaging 12.9 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 3.5 assists over the first half.
The Spurs envision Castle as a cornerstone of their future success,alongside Wembanyama and De’Aaron Fox.
“He’ll be a dynamic force to be reckoned with,” said Spurs acting coach Mitch Johnson.
Castle himself is eager to refine his game. Following advice from veteran teammate Chris Paul, he plans to attend postseason games to gain insight into the demands of high-stakes basketball. He’s notably excited about dedicating a full offseason to improving his skills in San Antonio.
“This is my first real offseason,” Castle said. “So, I finally get a chance to just work on my game. Honestly, it’s the first season I’m not doing some type of summer training, getting ready for a team, AAU or something like that. So, I’ll be able to actually just get in the lab and work on everything: facilitating, shooting.I need to get my handle sharper as well. Also, playing in the summer and not just doing workouts will help in knowing how to manage games better and stuff like that.”
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
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Archyde Interviews: Stephon Castle, NBA Rookie of the Year
SAN ANTONIO, TX – Archyde News is thrilled to bring you an exclusive interview with Stephon Castle, the newly crowned NBA Rookie of the Year. Fresh off an electrifying season with the San Antonio Spurs, Castle sat down with us to discuss his journey, the “slow step,” and what the future holds.
The Interview
Archyde news: Stephon, congratulations on an incredible rookie season and the Rookie of the Year award! How does it feel to join the ranks of Spurs legends like Tim Duncan and David Robinson?
Stephon Castle: Thank you! It’s an unbelievable feeling. To be mentioned in the same breath as those guys is truly humbling. They built a legacy here, and I’m honored to be a part of it.
archyde News: Your “slow step” became an instant trademark. Can you tell us a little about how it came to be, and the impact it had on your game?
Stephon Castle: (Laughing) Yeah, the slow step. it was something they showed me in my very first workouts with the team. It’s all about creating space and finding angles. It opened up a lot more scoring opportunities, and it’s something I worked on and refined throughout the season.
Archyde News: Your statistics were notable, leading all rookies in points, field goals, and steals. How did you manage to stay consistent throughout the entire season, and what played the largest role in your success?
Stephon Castle: Confidence.From the jump, I just refused to doubt myself. I felt like with the work that I was putting in,I’d get to this point. And so, not holding myself back from anything, I felt like that was what really got me to this point.That, and the support from Coach Johnson and the veterans on the team. They really helped me stay focused.
Archyde News: You were also the MVP of the Rising Stars game. Do you feel that performance marked a shift in your season?
Stephon Castle: Definitely. That was a huge confidence booster. It showed me I could compete against anybody.It really helped me in the second half of the season. I just felt like I was more confident from then on.
archyde News: The Spurs have a very shining future, also including Victor Wembanyama. What’s your vision for the team’s trajectory?
Stephon castle: We’re building something special here. With Victor,and De’Aaron Fox if he stays,if we continue to work hard and stay focused on our goals,we can become one of the powerhouses in the NBA. The most significant thing for us is that we are all focused on our mission.
Archyde News: You mentioned postseason games. what are you anticipating in the upcoming offseason,and what areas of your game are you focused on improving?
stephon Castle: This will be my first real offseason to work on my game without having to worry about AAU or team training. I can spend this time facilitating, and just improving my handle and shooting. I’ll be working mostly on shooting to prepare me better, it will definitely help to play in the summer; knowing how to manage games better and stuff like that’s also coming this off-season.
Archyde News: As with any great team, there’s always plenty more to do. Some fans and analysts point to the team’s needs to continue to improve and find a solid role for Devin Vassell. How are you preparing for the next step?
Stephon Castle: Absolutely, there will be a lot of work to do. Chris Paul always tells me to watch postseason games and see the demands it takes. Going into the next step is all about being completely prepared when the off season breaks out, and dedicating the time needed to improve. I’m excited to devote myself to training this offseason and sharpening my skills, and continuing to improve my facilitating and shooting.
archyde News: What advice would you give to aspiring young basketball players?
Stephon Castle: Believe in yourself, work hard, and never give up. The process will take time, but if you keep grinding, it will pay off.
Archyde News: Stephon, thank you for your time and insights. We look forward to seeing your continued success with the Spurs.
Stephon Castle: Thank you. I appreciate it.
