UConn HC Dan Hurley commends guard Stephon Castle's priorities as a player ahead of 2024 NBA Draft: "He's not a TikToker, that's not his deal"

Former UConn guard Stephon Castle emerged as one of the jewels under charismatic coach Dan Hurley. With Castle on board and Hurley at the helm, the Huskies swept to a second consecutive national championship win against the Purdue Boilermakers.

The freshman declared for the 2024 NBA Draft and is considered one of the top guards in contention for a first-round selection.

In an episode of the 'Ryen Arusillo' podcast, Castle's Huskies coach was full of praise for his personality and priorities.

"This guy's got just incredible people around him. He's a ball player, he's not a TikToker, that's not his deal. He loves the game, he's a pleaser, he's a winner, he's got humility about him, he wants to be drafted by a great organization, they want to go to an organization that resembles a little bit of what their college experience was in terms of structure," Hurley said.

During a news conference after the Huskies' Final Four win against Alabama Crimson Tide, UConn teammate Cam Spencer said this about Castle's personality:

“He's about all the right stuff,” Cam Spencer said. "He comes from a great family, they're at every game and I see them after every game. Love talking to them. He's just a humble kid who wants to impact winning any way that he can. From day one, I could see how humble he was. No ego. He's been a great player all year.”

Stephon Castle could be an NBA Draft lottery pick

Stephon Castle has the added advantage of having learned his craft under well-regarded coach Dan Hurley. He was courted for the LA Lakers job before ultimately deciding to remain with the UConn Huskies.

He also has the added bonus of being part of what many fans and analysts alike have branded a 'less than stellar' draft class. This could massively boost his draft stock to lottery status.

Before the national championship game against Purdue, Dan Hurley highlighted Castle's draft prospects.

“It's just been the perfect situation for him because his (Stephon Castle) draft stock is right where they want it to be right now, and he's won big,” Hurley said. “You can still do both, and everyone can win.”

Stephon Castle averaged 11.1 points on 47.2% shooting from the field and 26.7% from beyond the arc. He also had 4.7 rebounds and 2.9 assists last season on the way to being named the Big East Freshman of the Year.

According to ESPN Draft analysts Jeremy Woo and Jonathan Givony's latest mock draft, Castle will be selected No. 4 overall by the San Antonio Spurs on draft night.