2024 Draft Prospects

[JustBuzzin]

Castle also has the ball handling ability to play both guard spots. I look at him as a guy who can do all the little things that's asked of elite role players. If his jumpshot improves then we might be looking at a Jimmy Butler caliber player. His other skills are clearly there it's just his jumpshot that needs work.

I have a hard time seeing Castle ever being the leading scorer on his team in the NBA like a Jimmy Butler tbh. I like him but I don't think his realistic ceiling is that good of a player.

I mean he was a scorer coming out of highschool. I think he probably would score more if he actually played a bigger role. He's like the 4th/5th option for UConn.

[JMAC3]

Castle also has the ball handling ability to play both guard spots. I look at him as a guy who can do all the little things that's asked of elite role players. If his jumpshot improves then we might be looking at a Jimmy Butler caliber player. His other skills are clearly there it's just his jumpshot that needs work.

I have a hard time seeing Castle ever being the leading scorer on his team in the NBA like a Jimmy Butler tbh. I like him but I don't think his realistic ceiling is that good of a player.

I mean he was a scorer coming out of highschool. I think he probably would score more if he actually played a bigger role. He's like the 4th/5th option for UConn.

Yeah maybe. Without complicating it, there is like a 90% chance that the best player in this draft class is the best scorer from the class. It is just how basketball works.

I think Castle is super intriguing, but that is really the main thing keeping him out of the first group of 5 guys for me.

[LofJ]

I'm rooting for us to pick 3rd or later this year. I hope the Wizards land the first pick.

[MasterIchiro]

I think the roster is married long term to a center who won't provide positional advantage with passing. So the 4 non-centers starting should all be capable playmakers. I value playmaking if our center mostly camps out in the paint.

Castle is a combo guard in a wing defender's body. It helps that his IQ is high.

Anunoby is not on the level of a combo guard as a playmaker.

If the shot comes along, Castle could become Anunoby with added playmaking. That's what we need with Mark Williams.

The ball needs to move with LaMelo, Miller, Miles and the lottery pick.

The rim pressure is something sorely needed, but both Castle and Holland can provide it. Honestly Tre Mann is the best Hornet at creating rim pressure and he's looking like a bench piece, albeit a high end one.

Miles can create some rim pressure but he's much slower than Castle. LaMelo is not strong. Miller has some potential there but also needs to add strength. Neither player is speedy to the rim. Hurts that NSJ does not profile as a rim pressure piece. He will live at the arc and midrange. We have a roster overflowing with players who thrive at those 2 scoring levels.

Rim pressure from Castle or Holland would be a welcome addition.

[JustBuzzin]

I think the roster is married long term to a center who won't provide positional advantage with passing. So the 4 non-centers starting should all be capable playmakers. I value playmaking if our center mostly camps out in the paint.

Castle is a combo guard in a wing defender's body. It helps that his IQ is high.

Anunoby is not on the level of a combo guard as a playmaker.

If the shot comes along, Castle could become Anunoby with added playmaking. That's what we need with Mark Williams.

The ball needs to move with LaMelo, Miller, Miles and the lottery pick.

The rim pressure is something sorely needed, but both Castle and Holland can provide it. Honestly Tre Mann is the best Hornet at creating rim pressure and he's looking like a bench piece, albeit a high end one.

Miles can create some rim pressure but he's much slower than Castle. LaMelo is not strong. Miller has some potential there but also needs to add strength. Neither player is speedy to the rim. Hurts that NSJ does not profile as a rim pressure piece. He will live at the arc and midrange. We have a roster overflowing with players who thrive at those 2 scoring levels.

Rim pressure from Castle or Holland would be a welcome addition.

Beautiful post.

I agree 100%

I view Castle as that missing puzzle piece. He's not coming in to be the guy, he's coming in to be that perfect fit with our starters. He's exactly what we need in a guard. His basketball IQ is the most underrated part of his game, just a guy who will make the correct play 90% of the time.

[KingCat]

As someone that only watched one of his games, can someone explain Castle's ho hum scoring?

Is it just the way the offense is run? Bad jumper? Based on the game I saw, it looked a bit like Ben Simmons syndrome.

[SWedd523]

As someone that only watched one of his games, can someone explain Castle's ho hum scoring?

Is it just the way the offense is run? Bad jumper? Based on the game I saw, it looked a bit like Ben Simmons syndrome.

As someone who hasn't seen a single UConn game, a couple guesses:

The team scores 81ppg so factor that into your scoring output expectations.

UConn is an established, veteran program with two seniors getting the lion's share of the touches. Even then, their top scorer only sits at 15ppg

They have five guys averaging 10+ ppg so they have a very balanced offense

[JustBuzzin]

As someone that only watched one of his games, can someone explain Castle's ho hum scoring?

Is it just the way the offense is run? Bad jumper? Based on the game I saw, it looked a bit like Ben Simmons syndrome.

It's 100% the offense they run is not set up for players to score a lot. They don't do much iso ball. They have a very balanced scoring roster overall so it's not a Castle thing. If you really want to see Castle score you have to look at his high school highlights. I think he went to UConn to win a championship and so far they have looked like the best team in the country.

[MasterIchiro]

Hurley recently said if Jaylin Stewart stays in school, Stewart is going to become a star. Stewart averaged 2.8 points per game and is possibly the most talented player on a roster that includes 2 lottery picks (Castle, Clingan) after placing Jordan Hawkins in the lottery. The talent is so deep across the whole program. Hurley coaches to team roles not to individual talent.

[KingCat]

OK nice I can definitely sell myself on Castle in that case. As someone that was high in Dyson Daniels a few years back, I see no reason to dislike Castle.

[JMAC3]

Castle is really good at getting to the rim.

Stephon Castle is 74/123 at the rim this year or 60% in 750 mins played. 17 Dunks - 90 FTA
Rob Dillingham 63/113 at rim this year or 55.7% in 718 mins played. 4 dunks - 94 FTA
Jakobe Walter 30/57 at rim this year or 52.6% in 1060 mins played. 4 dunks - 162 FTA
Reed Sheppard is 39/59 at the rim this year or 66% in 923 mins played. 5 Dunks - 65 FTA
Isiah Collier is 95/154 at the rim this year or 62% in 820 mins played. 6 dunks -156 FTA

[Snidely FC]

Perhaps this informs Castle's style of play at UConn

While participating in tryouts and donning the gold medal on a national team, Castle said he took away one big lesson from his experience.

“[I learned] how to play a role,” Castle said. “You won’t always be ‘the guy' on your team. When I went out there, I wasn’t ‘the guy,’ but I still had to perform. They didn’t just put me on the team just to put me on it. I still had to perform and play my role.”

https://www.covnews.com/sports/newton/newton-basketball-star-stephon-castle-celebrated-across-newton-county-gold-medal/

[JustBuzzin]

Safe to say most of us would be fine with Castle?

[GoBobs]

Castle is really good at getting to the rim.

Stephon Castle is 74/123 at the rim this year or 60% in 750 mins played. 17 Dunks - 90 FTA
Rob Dillingham 63/113 at rim this year or 55.7% in 718 mins played. 4 dunks - 94 FTA
Jakobe Walter 30/57 at rim this year or 52.6% in 1060 mins played. 4 dunks - 162 FTA
Reed Sheppard is 39/59 at the rim this year or 66% in 923 mins played. 5 Dunks - 65 FTA
Isiah Collier is 95/154 at the rim this year or 62% in 820 mins played. 6 dunks -156 FTA

where are you getting these stats?

[wilson115]

Really doubt he's 6'7", but going by this at least Castle looks like another one of those "plays the right way" kids. Interesting debate between him and Reed Sheppard for teams looking for a ballhandler in the early lottery.

Watch on YouTube

[JMAC3]

Castle is really good at getting to the rim.

Stephon Castle is 74/123 at the rim this year or 60% in 750 mins played. 17 Dunks - 90 FTA
Rob Dillingham 63/113 at rim this year or 55.7% in 718 mins played. 4 dunks - 94 FTA
Jakobe Walter 30/57 at rim this year or 52.6% in 1060 mins played. 4 dunks - 162 FTA
Reed Sheppard is 39/59 at the rim this year or 66% in 923 mins played. 5 Dunks - 65 FTA
Isiah Collier is 95/154 at the rim this year or 62% in 820 mins played. 6 dunks -156 FTA

where are you getting these stats?

https://barttorvik.com/playerstat.php?link=y&sIndex=53&yvalue=Fr&year=2024&start=20231101&end=20240501

[GoBobs]

Castle is really good at getting to the rim.

Stephon Castle is 74/123 at the rim this year or 60% in 750 mins played. 17 Dunks - 90 FTA
Rob Dillingham 63/113 at rim this year or 55.7% in 718 mins played. 4 dunks - 94 FTA
Jakobe Walter 30/57 at rim this year or 52.6% in 1060 mins played. 4 dunks - 162 FTA
Reed Sheppard is 39/59 at the rim this year or 66% in 923 mins played. 5 Dunks - 65 FTA
Isiah Collier is 95/154 at the rim this year or 62% in 820 mins played. 6 dunks -156 FTA

where are you getting these stats?

https://barttorvik.com/playerstat.php?link=y&sIndex=53&yvalue=Fr&year=2024&start=20231101&end=20240501

Thank you

[GoBobs]

Castle is really good at getting to the rim.

Stephon Castle is 74/123 at the rim this year or 60% in 750 mins played. 17 Dunks - 90 FTA
Rob Dillingham 63/113 at rim this year or 55.7% in 718 mins played. 4 dunks - 94 FTA
Jakobe Walter 30/57 at rim this year or 52.6% in 1060 mins played. 4 dunks - 162 FTA
Reed Sheppard is 39/59 at the rim this year or 66% in 923 mins played. 5 Dunks - 65 FTA
Isiah Collier is 95/154 at the rim this year or 62% in 820 mins played. 6 dunks -156 FTA

Edey is 180-218 at the rim 82% in 1034 min played. 94 Dunks in 98 Dunk attempts, 370 Ft attempts - This is rim pressure

[SWedd523]

Edey would be a great pick


in 1999

[HornetJail]

Edey would be a great pick


in 1999

Did someone say 1999?