Top 5 Stephon Castle replacements for UConn in 2024-25 season ft. Hassan Diarra

The UConn Huskies are preparing for their attempt at a historic three-peat in the upcoming 2024–25 season. This will be no simple task for the Huskies after losing a number of their top performers from last season, including Donovan Clingan, Tristen Newton, Cam Spencer and Stephon Castle.

With guard Castle being selected with the fourth overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, coach Dan Hurley will have to find a replacement. Here is a look at the top five potential replacements for Castle that the Huskies could look to in the 2024–25 season.

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Top 5 Stephon Castle replacements for UConn in the 2024–25 season

UConn guard Solomon Ball [IMAGN]

#1 Hassan Diarra

Hassan Diarra will return for his fifth season of eligibility and his third season with UConn. Diarra played mostly off the bench during the previous two championship runs by the Huskies but still logged vital minutes on the floor.

He was the Big East Sixth Man of the Year last season, averaging 6.1 points, 3.0 rebounds and 2.4 assists.

Diarra measures 6'2", which is a smaller frame than Castle, who measures at 6'6". But Diarra is an athletic playmaker who can get to the rim and is a skilled defender, which will be vital to replace Castle's outstanding defensive ability.

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#2 Ahmad Nowell

Ahmad Nowell will be joining Dan Hurley and the UConn Huskies as a four-star recruit and the third-ranked combo guard in the class of 2024, as per 247Sports. The Imhotep Institute product is a bit undersized at 6'0", but his strength and physicality make up for his lack of height.

He is known as an inside scorer who attacks the basket with aggression, but he has improved his outside shooting recently.

His physical offensive playstyle also translates to the defensive side of the ball. He plays excellent one-on-one defense and has the ability to lead the defense with his constant communication.

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#3 Solomon Ball

Solomon Ball was Dan Hurley's go-to replacement for Stephon Castle last season during the period of time Castle was out due to injury. Ball appeared in 39 games, making 10 starts last season as a freshman.

Ball is expected to be in for an increased role for UConn this season with the departure of guards including Castle, Tristen Newton and Cam Spencer. He averaged 3.3 points and 1 rebounds in 11.5 minutes per game last season, including a career-high 13-point game against North Carolina.

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#4 Aidan Mahaney

Two-time All-WCC guard Aidan Mahaney will be joining UConn for the 2024–25 season after two seasons with Saint Mary's. He averaged 13.9 points during both his freshman and sophomore year and shoots 37.5% in his career from deep. He is crafty with the ball in his hands and can create his own shot.

Mahaney isn't known as an elite defender, but he can hold his own on that end of the floor. He still needs to demonstrate more value in other areas of his game, like playmaking and rebounding. But with a coach like Dan Hurley, those skill sets could develop rapidly.

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#5 Isaiah Abraham

Isaiah Abraham will be joining the Huskies this season as a four-star recruit from Paul VI Catholic High School in Fairfax, VA. Standing at 6'7", Abraham is a similar size to Castle and can bring a similar defensive toughness to the team.

He has the range to hit shots from anywhere on the floor and can get downhill to attack the rim. His defensive ability isn't yet on the same level as Castle's, but he has the potential to develop into a solid piece on that side of the floor.

Although he still needs to work on improving his mobility, this young freshman at UConn has a lot of potential if he keeps developing his game.

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Which Huksies player do you think will be the best replacement for Stephon Castle at UConn next season? Let us know in the comment section.