'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,/9j/2wBDAAYEBQYFBAYGBQYHBwYIChAKCgkJChQODwwQFxQYGBcUFhYaHSUfGhsjHBYWICwgIyYnKSopGR8tMC0oMCUoKSj/2wBDAQcHBwoIChMKChMoGhYaKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCj/wgARCAAHAAoDAREAAhEBAxEB/8QAFQABAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABgf/xAAWAQEBAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAACAQP/2gAMAwEAAhADEAAAADmkmZP/xAAhEAABBAEDBQAAAAAAAAAAAAACAQMEBQAHERIhI1ST4f/aAAgBAQABPwDVpqFV1NNTUch1uljgTpsEnNSeVwu6RL1Is3h+SXp+5//EABYRAAMAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAIQQf/aAAgBAgEBPwAov//EABURAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABBB/9oACAEDAQE/AIf/2Q=='%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
The San Antonio Spurs drafted UConn guard Stephon Castle No. 4 in the 2024 NBA draft. Castle projects to add two-way versatility to their young core headlined by rising star big man Victor Wembanyama.
An athletic 6-foot-6 guard with a 6-foot-9 wingspan, Castle is considered one of the draft's premier on-ball defenders. He is also viewed as a high-IQ, winning player, coming off a national championship in his freshman season with the Huskies.
Questions remain about Castle's ideal NBA position. Despite some skepticism surrounding his 3-point shooting and ability to be a lead guard, he wants to play point guard in the league.
"I feel my true position is point guard, and I feel the last few months, I had to sacrifice for the betterment of the team,” Castle said ahead of the draft. "It worked out for us, so it's not anything to harp on or be bitter about."
Trending
Explore the NBA Draft 2024 with our free NBA Mock Draft Simulator & be the GM of your favorite NBA team.
Regardless of Castle's position, after finishing 14th (22-60) in the Western Conference, San Antonio will likely benefit from adding his two-way upside to its backcourt.
Despite trading their No. 8 pick to the Minnesota Timberwolves, the Spurs still have two more picks in this year's draft. They are slated to pick at No. 35 and 48 in Thursday's second round.
In the meantime, here's a look at how their depth chart changed following Castle's addition.
San Antonio Spurs projected depth chart next season featuring Stephon Castle
San Antonio's roster will likely change substantially between now and next season, with the team potentially targeting win-now free agency moves.
However, as of Wednesday, the Spurs' projected 2024-25 depth chart is as follows:
Dan Hurley calls Stephon Castle "perfect player" for Spurs
Among those pleased to see Stephon Castle end up with San Antonio was his college coach, Dan Hurley. After Castle's selection, Hurley raved about his projected fit with the Spurs, an organization renowned for its winning culture and talent evaluation.
"This guy, when you look at fit right there, the Spurs value winning, they value workers, they value championships, and this is just the perfect player for them to draft," Hurley said. "For what they do at that organization, this guy is just scratching the surface."
Over 34 games with UConn, Castle averaged 11.1 points, 4.7 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 0.8 steals, 0.5 blocks and 0.6 3-pointers per game. He shot 47.2% and 26.7% from 3.
WATCH: No. 4 pick Stephon Castle pays respect to UConn HC Dan Hurley
