Tag: Stephon Castle

How would Stephon Castle fit as Spurs point guard?

Could the San Antonio Spurs target UConn’s Stephon Castle in the 2024 NBA Draft?

The San Antonio Spurs could have some big-time changes in store this summer as they look to help Victor Wembanyama win in the Western Conference. Obviously, a lot of eyes will be on the trade market, but the 2024 NBA Draft could be an even more important chance for them to add talent.

The Spurs have the fourth and eighth picks in this year’s draft, and there could be some intriguing prospects available at those spots. One guy to keep an eye on is UConn guard Stephon Castle. According to Kelly Iko of The Athletic, the Spurs are “big fans” of Castle heading into the draft.

The SSPN YouTube channel recently spoke about what Castle would look like as a fit for the Spurs as their point guard.

Adding a guy like Castle to the mix would be perfect, as his playmaking and defense would improve the Spurs’ play on both ends of the court.

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Report: Spurs are ‘big fans’ of UConn guard Stephon Castle

Could the San Antonio Spurs target UConn guard Stephon Castle?

As the 2024 NBA Draft approaches, the San Antonio Spurs will have a huge opportunity to add top-tier young talent to the roster. They have the fourth and eighth picks in the draft, meaning they could snag two of the top prospects. One guy who they could go after is Stephon Castle out of UConn.

And according to Kelly Iko of The Athletic, the Spurs are “big fans” of Castle. “The Spurs are said to be big fans of UConn’s Castle, league sources said, and he is moving up their draft board. San Antonio has two top-10 selections and could take Castle with either the No. 4 or No. 8 pick,” Iko wrote.

Castle is a great defender and a solid playmaker. And at 6-foot-6, his height at the point guard position could make him an intriguing fit on this Spurs squad.

Though his offensive game still needs to fully form, he’s exactly the type of player the Spurs should be willing to take a chance on.

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Podcast: USA TODAY’s Bryan Kalbrosky on Rockets, NBA Draft chatter

Bryan Kalbrosky, national NBA staff writer with USA TODAY’s For The Win, shares his insight and perspective on Houston’s 2024 draft plans.

Bryan Kalbrosky, national NBA staff writer at USA TODAY’s For The Win, shares the latest intel and scouting analysis related to the Rockets and their No. 3 overall draft pick in the 2024 draft. His latest mock draft projects Kentucky guard Reed Sheppard to Houston.

Hosted by Rockets podcasters Ben DuBose and Paulo Alves, discussion topics include a wave of recent rumors linking Sheppard to Houston. Other subjects include alternative options such as Donovan Clingan, Stephon Castle, Alex Sarr, trade scenarios, and more.

The show also features perspective on Houston’s improved placement in the Western Conference, and why the Rockets were justified in giving a contract extension to general manager Rafael Stone.

Thursday’s interview, which is sponsored by Clutch City Lager of Karbach Brewing, can be listened to below in its entirety. Each episode is also made available via flagship radio station SportsTalk 790 and all major podcast distributors under “The Lager Line.”

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2024 NBA Draft Combine: Winners and losers

The 2024 NBA Draft Combine has concluded, and as the dust settles in Chicago, we review the most significant winners and losers from this year’s pre-draft event. Despite being considered one of the weakest drafts in recent memory, the combine still …

The 2024 NBA Draft Combine has concluded, and as the dust settles in Chicago, we review the most significant winners and losers from this year’s pre-draft event. Despite being considered one of the weakest drafts in recent memory, the combine still plays a crucial role. It helps fringe lottery picks, determines if a player is a late first-rounder or early second-rounder, and boosts the chances of players who might have gone undrafted. With the draft just over a month away, here’s a breakdown of the standout moments and performances from this year’s combine.

Can the Chicago Bulls land Stephon Castle or Matas Buzelis at pick No. 11?

It’d likely take luck, but it’s not out of the question.

Can the Chicago Bulls find a way to land University of Connecticut champion floor general Stephon Castle or Lithuanian small forward Matas Buzelis with their No. 11 pick of the 2024 NBA draft?

Buzelis, a 19-year-old sometimes compared to Orlando Magic star swingman Franz Wagner, is an intriguing option who might be around that late in the lottery. Castle is an elite defender who has solid court vision and questions about his jumper who might slide a bit, but perhaps not this far…we think? But either of these prospects would make sense for the Bulls to select if available when Chicago is on the clock.

The hosts of the “CHGO Bulls” podcast dialed in on both players as potential Bulls draft targets, talking about what it would take to land them and how they might fit.

Take a look at the clip embedded above to hear if either are the sort of player you want Chicago to draft.

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The NBA may have scrubbed its draft combine stats after briefly displaying potentially incorrect measurements

UConn’s Stephon Castle was listed at 6-foot-2 in socks, which isn’t correct.

As the league gathered in Chicago for the 2024 NBA Draft Combine, some potentially incorrect measurements caused some confusion.

This was the first time that all players were required to participate in the event in order to get drafted. However, the first day didn’t exactly go as according to plan.

For example, UConn’s Stephon Castle was originally listed on NBA.com at 6-foot-2.25 in socks. During his freshman season, however, he was listed on the team website at 6-foot-6.

Castle’s listed measurements at the 2024 NBA Draft Combine sounded more like Providence’s Devin Carter, who would have the next name among all of the invitees when listed alphabetically.

NBA.com also listed his teammate, Tristen Newton, at 6-foot-3.25 in socks.

When they played together in college, Castle was clearly multiple inches taller than Newton. He is also multiple inches taller than Kentucky’s Reed Sheppard (measured at 6-foot-1.75) and Rob Dillingham (measured at 6-foot-1) as well.

While discrepancies between heights are not uncommon, it is often caused by whether or not a prospect was wearing shoes.

It is, of course, rare for a player to shrink multiple inches since the last time they were measured. That is why various experts were quick to point out that these listed measurements were likely misprints.

So once Castle’s measurements were called into question, others were viewed with a shadow of a doubt as well. As expected, then, the league did not take long to address these concerns.

While screenshots live forever, the data was no longer available shortly after fans may have noticed these discrepancies. Expect them to fix the issues and update it soon with the correct information.

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Dan Hurley reacts to Stephon Castle declaring for 2024 NBA draft

Castle was named the Big East Freshman of the Year after averaging 11.1 points, 4.7 rebounds and 2.9 assists.

UConn freshman Stephon Castle told Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN on Friday that he will forgo his remaining college eligibility and declare for the 2024 NBA draft.

Castle was named the Big East Freshman of the Year after averaging 11.1 points, 4.7 rebounds and 2.9 assists on 47.2% shooting from the field. He is the sixth player in program history to win the award and the first since Daniel Hamilton in the 2014-15 season.

The 6-foot-6 guard emerged as a key player for the Huskies this year, helping them win their second straight national championship. He totaled 36 points, 10 rebounds and five assists in two games in the Final Four as UConn knocked off Alabama and Purdue.

His coach, Dan Hurley, praised him after his draft announcement.

Castle is viewed as a potential lottery pick after a strong campaign. He has emerged as a great perimeter defender with his size, versatility and instincts. He was often matched up with the opposing teams’ best players and made life difficult for them.

He will have the opportunity to improve his draft positioning in team interviews and workouts over the pre-draft process. He could also be invited to compete in the G League Elite Camp or draft combine next month in Chicago, Illinois.

The 2024 NBA draft will take place June 26-27 in New York City.

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UConn sophomore Alex Karaban to declare for NBA draft, retain eligibility

Karaban helped the Huskies to their second straight title, averaging 13.3 points and 5.1 rebounds on 37.9% shooting from 3-point range.

UConn sophomore Alex Karaban announced Thursday on social media that he will declare for the 2024 NBA draft while retaining his remaining college eligibility.

Karaban helped the Huskies to their second straight championship after averaging 13.3 points, 5.1 rebounds and 1.5 assists on 37.9% shooting from 3-point range. He produced eight 20-point games, including a season-high 26 points and seven rebounds on Dec. 9.

The 21-year-old joins teammate Donovan Clingan in declaring for the draft this year, while Stephon Castle, Tristen Newton and Cam Spencer are also expected to enter. Clingan and Castle are projected to be lottery picks.

Karaban isn’t projected to be drafted, though he will have the opportunity to improve his stock in team interviews and workouts. He could also be invited to compete in the G League Elite Camp or draft combine next month in Chicago, Illinois.

He has until May 29 to withdraw from the draft and return to school.

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Stephon Castle: NBA draft scouting report and intel

2004 | 6’6 | 6’9 WS | 215 LBS Team: Connecticut Best aggregate mock draft rank: 5 / Worst rank: 20 Agency: Wasserman Group 2023-24 stats: In 32 games, Castle averaged 10.7 points and 4.7 rebounds per game, with 2.9 assists. He shot 47.0 percent from …

2004 | 6’6 | 6’9 WS | 215 LBS

Team: Connecticut

Best aggregate mock draft rank: 5 / Worst rank: 20

Agency: Wasserman Group

2023-24 stats:

In 32 games, Castle averaged 10.7 points and 4.7 rebounds per game, with 2.9 assists. He shot 47.0 percent from the field, 26.2 percent from three, and 76.0 percent from the free-throw line. Additionally, he recorded 0.6 blocks, 0.8 steals, and 1.5 turnovers per game.

His father, Stacey Castle, starred at Far Rockaway High and was a teammate of current UConn associate head coach Kimani Young. He played briefly at Oak Hill Academy before committing to Wake Forest, where he played alongside Tim Duncan.

NCAA basketball National Championship Game: Purdue vs. UConn prop bet picks and predictions

Analyzing Monday’s Purdue vs. UConn National Championship Game with expert picks and predictions of the best 4 prop bets to make.

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The Purdue Boilermakers (34-4) and UConn Huskies (36-3) will meet in the NCAA Tournament National Championship Game Monday in Glendale, Ariz. Tip-off is scheduled for 9:20 p.m. (TBS). Below, we break down BetMGM Sportsbook’s before NCAA basketball National Championship prop bet odds, and tab the best Purdue vs. UConn prop bets to make among SportsbookWire’s expert college basketball picks, predictions and best bets.

Both were favorites and covered in their respective Final Four games Saturday.

Purdue, the Midwest’s No. 1 seed, beat NC State 63-50 as a 9.5-point favorite in the 1st semifinal with the Under (147) easily cashing. The Wolfpack were the big surprise in the Final Four, winning the South Region as the No. 11 seed, but the magical run finally came to an end.

UConn, the East’s top seed, defeated Alabama 86-72 and covered as a 10-point favorite with the Under (160.5) coming in. The Huskies, who are No. 1 in the USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll, held just a 4-point lead at the half and were tied at 56-all with just over 12 minutes to go against the Crimson Tide, who were the 4th seed out of the West Region.

The Huskies closed with a 30-16 run to finish off the Tide and move a win away from its 6th national title and from becoming the 1st repeat champion since the 2006-’07 Florida Gators. Only UCLA (11), Kentucky (8) and North Carolina (6) have more titles, while UConn is tied with Duke and Indiana at 5 championships each.

The Boilermakers, the No. 3 team in the USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll, are searching for their 1st NCAA title. They have been to the title game once before, losing to UCLA in 1969.

Purdue is led by 2024 AP Player of the Year C Zach Edey. He’s the 1st men’s basketball player to capture the award in consecutive seasons since Virginia’s Ralph Sampson won 3 in a row 1981–’83. Ohio State’s Jerry Lucas (1961-’62), UCLA’s Bill Walton (1972-’73) and NC State’s David Thompson (1974-’75) are the only players to win the award more than once.

Purdue is 5-0 against the spread (ATS) in its 5 NCAA Tourney games with the Under going 4-1, while UConn is also 5-0 ATS with the Under at 5-0. Big East schools own a perfect 7-0 straight up (SU) and ATS record in championship games since 2001, while Big Ten teams are winless at 0-7 SU and ATS.

Now, let’s make some money on some prop bets.

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Best Purdue vs. UConn National Championship Game prop bets picks

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook’s; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 1:55 a.m. ET.

Purdue G Braden Smith OVER 5.5 rebounds (+120)

Listed at 6-foot, Smith may be one of the shortest men on the court, but he plays bigger. He has pulled down 8, 7, and 8 rebounds over his last 3 NCAA Tournament games against teams with very athletic guards like Tennessee and NC State. Smith averages 5.9 rebounds per game on the season, so he just needs to hit his average and we’re getting plus-money on this prop.

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UConn G Stephon Castle OVER 4.5 rebounds (-130)

Sure, there’s a bit of juice for this one, but it’s because it seems like a lock. Castle grabbed at least 5 rebounds in 4 of UConn’s 5 NCAA Tourney games. He got into foul trouble against Northwestern in the 2nd round which is the reason he only finished with 2 boards. The 6-foot-6 guard averages 4.7 rebounds per game this season and isn’t afraid to mix it up with big men like Edey.

Purdue G Fletcher Loyer OVER 9.5 points (-120)

Here’s another bet with a bit of juice, but you’ve got to feel good about this one Monday night. Loyer has hit double-digit points in Purdue’s last 4 games. The only reason he didn’t get there in the Boilers’ NCAA Tourney opener against Gambling is because he only played 25 minutes in a blowout, and he still knocked down 8 points. Loyer has been a huge piece to the Boilermakers’ success in this tournament.

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Purdue UNDER 69.5 team total points (-110)

Enough people don’t give UConn the credit it deserves for its defensive ability. The Huskies rank 10th in the country at points allowed per game (PPG) at just 63.5 points, per CBSSports.com. This is after holding the top scoring team in the country in Alabama (90.1 PPG) to 72 points in their Final Four matchup. If you recall, UConn shut down Illinois’ high-powered offense (83.4 PPG) to just 52 points in the Elite 8, which included a 9-minute stretch where UConn went on a 30-0 run. Plus, the Boilermakers only scored 63 vs. NC State Saturday.

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For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.

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