SAN FRANCISCO – On Monday, San Antonio Spurs rookie guard Stephon Castle will finally get to rest during his first NBA All-Star break.
Castle definitely made his presence known during NBA All-Star Weekend. The 20-year-old earned Most Valuable Player of the Rising Stars Challenge on Feb. 14, finished second in the Slam Dunk Contest to three-time champion Mac McClung on Feb. 15 and played in the NBA All-Star Game with the Rising Stars on Sunday. Next up for Castle is rest in his hometown of Atlanta before the season resumes.
“I’m exhausted. I can’t wait to go home,” a still-perspiring Castle said on Sunday night.
Castle talked with Andscape after he scored six points for Team Candace during their 42-35 first-round loss to Stephen Curry, Jayson Tatum, Kevin Durant and Team Shaq on Sunday night. Castle is an NBA Rookie of the Year candidate, averaging 12.9 points, 3.5 assists and 2.8 rebounds per game this season while also registering some of the league’s best dunks. The following is a Q&A with the former University of Connecticut star about his breakthrough All-Star Weekend, his reflection on finishing second in the dunk contest, playing with All-Star Victor Wembanyama, future Hall of Famer Chris Paul and new Spurs guard De’Aaron Fox, the absence of legendary head coach Gregg Popovich, life in San Antonio and much more.
Our conversation has been lightly edited and condensed.
It appears that you really put your name on the NBA map after being a part of every night this weekend. What did this whole All-Star Weekend mean to you?
I feel like it was a very successful All-Star Weekend for me to be able to participate in all three days, get my name out there, and have a great showing. I won the Rising Stars MVP, was part of the dunk contest and I played against some of my favorite players to watch growing up. So, it’s been a fun weekend for me. I’m happy about all the exposure and all that. But it’s been super cool for sure.
How would you describe this season for you so far going from being the fourth pick in the 2024 NBA draft to a Rookie of the Year candidate that played an integral part in All-Star Weekend?
If you would’ve told me a year ago I’d be in this position, I probably wouldn’t believe you. But I feel I just became accustomed to all the work I put in and my faith in God. And I thank God for all these opportunities. It’s just a blessing.
Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich took an indefinite leave of absence in November 2024 after suffering a mild stroke. How much did you get to know him in such a short time? How did his departure affect you?
Me and Coach connected very quickly. I remember when I did my workout with the Spurs before the [NBA draft] combine, before the draft, all that. So, he was one of the first guys to come up to me and have a one-on-one conversation with me. So, when he went out, it definitely hurt. But I know he’s doing better now. I’m happy to know that he’s doing good.
What have you learned from Chris Paul?
Not taking everything too hard on my mental [state]. When I make mistakes, when I have bad games, not being too hard on myself. Understanding that I’m a rookie, [mistakes] are supposed to happen. Just taking every game as an opportunity and a lesson.
What’s the best thing about playing with Victor Wembanyama?
Just how much attention he draws. It just opens up the court for everybody else. He’s super versatile. He’s an unbelievable passer. That is one of the most underrated parts of his game. So, to be able to be a screener for him, you can put him anywhere on the court, and I feel like he’ll thrive, just being an offensive and defensive force for us.
Did you think you would get traded to Sacramento or elsewhere when it became apparent that Fox wanted to come to San Antonio?
Not really. I definitely saw [rumors] and everything. But I was really just focused on playing. San Antonio is really a home culture. They brought me in and told me things that I feel like any rookie would want to hear, especially in year one. So, coming into the trade deadline, not really…
It made me feel like they wanted me to be a part of something that they’re pushing towards, and it definitely made me feel good about it.
How do you and Fox coexist going forward?
That’s my guy. Me and him connected right away as soon as he came here. I love playing with D-Fox. He plays super-fast. That is how I like to play. Super unselfish. He can go get a bucket whenever you need him to. Yeah, he’s super cool and a great guy off the court, too.
Adam Hagy/NBAE via Getty Images
You finished second in the slam dunk competition to Mac McClung. Looking back, was there anything you would have done differently?
I’ve been thinking about it since, honestly. I felt like my third dunk could have been a 50, but I understand it being a 49. But if I’d just made it on the first try, I probably would’ve got the edge.
The Spurs have a 23-29 record and are in the 12th spot in the Western Conference. With Fox now on the roster, where do the Spurs go from here for the rest of the season?
We’re using the break to reflect on the good and the bad that we did before the All-Star break and to fix a couple of things up before we try to make a push.
What have you learned about the NBA that you didn’t know before arriving?
How much free time we get outside of basketball. I’m finding hobbies. I’m super obsessed with basketball. I watch basketball all day. Play, obviously. When I get on the video game, I probably play NBA2K. So, I’m surrounded by basketball all day. So, I’m just finding other hobbies to take my mind off of it sometimes.
Have you figured out San Antonio yet?
A little bit, yeah. It is a real, real calm city compared to Atlanta. So, San Antonio compared to that real calm, real chill, real quiet. So, I love the city. It’s super nice.
