Luckily for new San Antonio Spurs guard Stephon Castle, high-leverage basketball has been his bread and butter at the University of Connecticut before being taken by the Spurs in the 2024 NBA draft.
Because the rookie is going to need to lean on his ability to stay calm under the pressure of the scrutiny he will face as a future co-star for Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama as he plays in summer league action. And it is for this reason that Bleacher Report league analyst Zach Buckley considers Castle’s play in summer league one of the top storylines for the annual exhibition play taking place in California and Las Vegas.
“The Spurs have been careful not to push too hard too quickly, but … Castle, this year’s No. 4 pick, serves as San Antonio’s biggest investment to date in Wembanyama’s supporting cast,” writes Buckley. “Of all the players on the Spurs’ current roster, Castle’s development could loom largest when it comes to determining this team’s readiness.”
2024 San Antonio Summer Spurs, Stephon Castle at practice https://t.co/d92FxJdbns pic.twitter.com/vj1csXos4U
— SpursWire (@Spurs_Wire) July 7, 2024
“San Antonio could opt to conservatively handle Castle’s development in the regular season … but summer league should be different,” adds the B/ER analyst. “Castle should have the freedom to run offense and hopefully flash what kind of scoring threat he might be at this level.”
“He may not be an obvious choice for appointment-viewing outside … Alamo City, but there’s a universe in which he’s eventually co-star to perhaps the best player on the planet. This could be the start of a highly productive partnership.”
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