[The following scouting report is part of a series on potential 2024 draft prospects from Sports Business Classroom alumni.]

Stephon Castle
Frame: 6’6″, 210 lbs
Position: Guard
Team: Connecticut Huskies
2024 Draft Age: 19
Stats via www.sports-reference.com

Offense

Castle’s offensive prowess lies in his versatile ability to penetrate the defense and finish at the rim in various ways. This skill set makes him a formidable threat on the court. Castle relies on his physical tools to get to his spots, as he does not have an elite handle and is not an explosive athlete. He knows how to use his size to get to the rim and can finish with either hand through contests with reasonable body control. Due to a crowded backcourt at UConn, Castle was asked to play off the ball more than a consensus five-star recruit would—which allowed him to showcase his ability to score without the ball in his hands, often setting ball screens for his teammates and slipping them for easy finishes. He also has a good awareness of when to cut to the basket. His athleticism and motor popped on the offensive glass, where Castle would fly through the air to finish a putback, even amongst big men. He averaged 1.7 offensive rebounds with an offensive rebound percentage of 7.8 percent, according to www.barttorvik.com. He shot 63.1 percent at the rim on 149 attempts, with 47.9 percent assisted. 

Another crucial part of Castle’s game is his playmaking. He thrives at making the apparent pass and keeping the ball moving. He does a good job keeping his dribble alive under pressure and uses his size to keep defenders away. He can hit the roll man in pick-and-roll situations or find shooters in the corner. However, Castle is not necessarily a game-breaking passer, as when bigger guards or wings pressure him, his vision shrinks, and he tends to miss the easy passes. He must develop as a ball handler to become a consistent on-ball creator at the NBA level. On the season, he averaged 2.9 assists to 1.5 turnovers, with an assist percentage of 18.4 percent and a turnover percentage of 13.0 percent. 

The biggest flaw in Castle’s game is his perimeter shooting, or shooting in general. He shot 26.7 percent on 66 attempts from behind the arc while being assisted on 85.0 percent of these shots. His mechanics are inconsistent from shot to shot, as he has a deficient release, and his guide hand is inconsistent. Sometimes, he flared out; other times, he didn’t even bring it up with the ball. His shooting hand sometimes has a hitch, while it is fully extended at different times. This carries into his pull-up jumpers from the mid-range, where he shot 34.8 percent on 66 attempts while being assisted on 17.4 percent of these shots. His mechanical flaws are on full display when creating his jumper, which he must improve to be an on-ball creator again.

Defense

On-ball defense is where Castle shines. His size and physicality translate well on the ball, as he has quick hips that allow him to change direction and hound ball handlers. Despite not being an explosive athlete, Castle has nimble feet that help him cut off an offensive player’s path. This also occurs when matched against wings, as his strong lower body helps him halt their movement. There is reason to believe he can match up with smaller forwards in the league by using said tools, allowing him to be a versatile defensive piece for whatever team drafts him. 

Off the ball, Castle is fine but does not necessarily stand out. He is not a turnover creator, only averaging 0.8 steals and 0.5 blocks, with a steal percentage of 1.8 percent and a block percentage of 2.1. Castle showed off the occasional weak side block but isn’t necessarily a threat to pick off passing lanes or even pluck the ball from offensive players. He does a good job staying with his man and getting through off-ball sets but is not creating distinct advantages here. 

Looking Ahead

Unlike many five-star recruits, Castle sacrificed touches to play within a role and win a championship his first year. He showcased his elite on-ball defense and off-ball scoring, especially around the rim. These traits should carry over to the NBA, but he was touted so highly because of his upside as a creator, whereas Castle struggled to shoot in general and even create for others at a high level. He will have to expand and improve on both things to reach the potential many said he had in high school. 

Castle may be a top-ten draft pick, with a realistic shot in the top five of the 2024 NBA draft. His floor will be that of a rotation player off the bench, with upside as a quality starter and possibly more if he can work on his weaknesses.