"He's got a high ceiling": Jay Bilas acknowledges UConn's Stephon Castle as a top prospect ahead of 2024 NBA Draft
Stephon Castle had a strong freshman season with the UConn Huskies, winning a national championship in his lone collegiate basketball season. The five-star prospect in the 2023 recruiting class drew high praise from Jay Bilas.
Speaking on his 'Prospects I Love' segment, the ESPN college basketball analyst said:
"The thing I love about Stephon Castle, he's a double feature. He plays at a high level at both ends of the floor, but his marquee ability is the defensive end. You can put him on the opposing best wing or guard and he can shut him down. Look at how he goes after people. He does his work early, he's able to move his feet, he stays down in a stance and his reactions are fantastic."
He continued:
"But he also plays on the offensive end. He’s a driver, a slasher, a transition finisher, and with his length and athleticism, he can finish above the rim and he's got playmaking ability. Remember, he played point guard in high school. There is a lot to love about Stephon Castle and at only 19 years old, he’s got a high ceiling. You don't find defenders this talented and this tough that often."
Check out Jay Bilas' full comments on Stephon Castle below:
Castle averaged 11.1 points, 4.7 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 0.8 steals and 0.5 blocks in 26.9 minutes per game. He shot 47.2% from the field, 26.7% from three-point range and 75.5% from the free-throw line.
Where could Stephon Castle land in the 2024 NBA draft?
The 2024 NBA draft is just two days away as the first round will begin on Wednesday. While Stephon Castle is unlikely to be the first player off the board, he is even less likely to fall out of the top ten of the draft.
He has been projected to land as high as the Houston Rockets, who hold the third overall selection. His floor has been considered by the San Antonio Spurs, with the eighth overall pick. While the Spurs also hold the fourth overall pick, there has been an assumption that they could double-dip on backcourt players to build around Victor Wembanyama.