Upsides

• Elite physical tools. He is fast, strong, athletic, and has a big frame for a guard. He is really good at using all of these to his advantage in different ways

• Very good perimeter defender. He makes it extremely difficult for players to create anything in isolation, moves around screens with ease, and can comfortably guard 1-3

• Active defender off the ball, he has good awareness and he is good at disrupting plays by getting into passing lanes and affecting how players move off the ball

• Great at getting to the rim with the ball in his hands, he is a shifty ball handler and uses his strength to push his way into the paint

• Good ball handler. He isn’t super fancy, but he can be shifty and he has good control over the ball

• Good finisher around the rim, he has nice touch and an array of finishing moves that allow him to finish through contact or get around it

• Solid playmaker, he has good court vision and has greatly improved on executing his passes. I don’t want to jump the gun too much, but he could be a legit 6’6 point guard because of this

Downsides

• He is not a good shooter right now. He isn’t sloppy with his form or mechanics, but he just can’t seem to make any of his shots outside of the paint right now

• He lacks confidence in his scoring. Although this has improved significantly over the course of the season, Stephon often starts to completely avoid taking any shots when he has missed a couple

• His performance this season has been inconsistent. He could have a great game one night and an ok one the next. He needs to be more consistent if he wants to tap into his upside

Conclusion

will add scouting report soon

Shades of: Young SGA, Jalen Suggs, Nickeil Alexander-Walker

I honestly don’t know what he brings to the table. His shooting is so awful, he’s 13% from three and defenders just guard him in the paint because they don’t even have to worry about the pull up. His complete inability to shoot makes him a poor offensive player. I think his pull up middy is decent and sometimes defenders just give that to him, his defense and rebounding look good for his position, but I’m having serious concerns about castle’s future in the nba because I don’t even know what he does. His defense and athleticism could make him a role player, but, unless you’re a 7 footer, role players have to be able to shoot. He can’t get to the rim because they’ll just have a big guy on him because they don’t have to guard him. From my evaluation there’s no real reason he should be anywhere close to lotto.

6’5 Ben Simmons, Jalen Suggs

Stephon Castle - UConn (PG/SG - HT: 6’6” - WING: 6’9” - WT: 190 - A: 18y)

- Big guard with tons of wiggle and shot creation
- A scorer who will break you down off the dribble or catch and put it on the floor to drive by you and get to his spot
- Great driver and very good finishing at the rim. Looks like an NBA player there
- Good playmaker but probably a 2 eventually, not a point guard
- Not great yet off ball because he’s not much of a shooter. Rarely takes 3s
- Shades of Jimmy Butler, Devin Vassell, Spencer Dinwiddie

Range: 2 - 12

Overview:

Stephon Castle is a 6'6", 190-pound combo guard from the University of Connecticut who recently emerged as a potential first-round pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. His well-rounded skillset, leadership qualities, and winning mentality make him an intriguing option for teams seeking a versatile guard who can contribute immediately.

Strengths:

Efficiency and craftiness: Castle scores efficiently, utilizing a variety of moves to create his own shot and get to the basket. He finishes layups with good touch and displays a knack for scoring in the paint despite not being the most athletic player. Strong basketball IQ: Castle possesses a high basketball IQ, making smart decisions with the ball and understanding his role within the team. He reads defenses well, finds open teammates with timely passes, and consistently makes positive contributions on the court. Improved shooting: While not a lights-out shooter, Castle has steadily improved his three-point shooting throughout his college career. He can knock down open shots consistently enough to keep defenses honest and create space for himself and teammates. Leadership and winning mentality: Castle demonstrates strong leadership qualities, both vocally and through his actions. He leads by example with his work ethic and positive attitude, contributing to a winning culture for his team.

Weaknesses:

Limited athleticism: Compared to elite NBA guards, Castle lacks elite athleticism. This could limit his explosiveness, particularly when finishing against bigger and stronger defenders at the next level. Average defender: While his effort and IQ are commendable, Castle's lack of elite athleticism and lateral quickness can be liabilities defensively against quicker guards. He needs to improve his footwork and defensive awareness to be a more consistent defender in the NBA. Three-point range inconsistency: While showing improvement, Castle can still be inconsistent with his three-point shooting at times. Expanding his range and becoming a more reliable threat from beyond the arc would significantly elevate his offensive value in the NBA.

Overall:

Stephon Castle is a high-character player with a well-rounded skillset and a winning mentality. His efficient scoring, basketball IQ, and leadership qualities make him a valuable asset. If he can continue refining his shooting, improve his athleticism, and develop into a more consistent defender, he has the potential to become a solid contributor in the NBA.

Additional Notes:

Castle's emergence as a potential first-round pick is a testament to his hard work and dedication to improvement. Some scouts compare him to a young Jrue Holiday due to his leadership, well-rounded skillset, and defensive effort, while others see him as a more offensively-focused player in the mold of Malcolm Brogdon. His leadership, winning mentality, and ability to contribute in various ways make him a good fit for any team seeking a versatile guard who can contribute immediately and grow into a key role player.

Overall, Stephon Castle is a player to watch closely in the lead-up to the 2024 NBA Draft. He has the talent and potential to make a significant impact on the league for years to come.

Stephon Castle, out of all the questionable jump shooting top prospects, I think his success depends the most on it. For Topic and Holland, they do more offensively and they don't need a jumper to be successful. I don't think Castle needs one to be successful, but his offensive role is very limited without one. He is currently not an NBA caliber PG, but that can also come, and without a jump shot, he will probably be placed in an off ball role where he is just cutting and setting screens, which he is very good at.

Defensively he is very talented. In my opinion, he has All Defensive upside as the primary guard defender. His length and speed at 6'6" allows him to guard 1-3 very comfortably.

I do think he develops his ball handling and playmaking ability enough to be a starting PG and I think his jump shot develops a bit and with his defense he is a top 5 player from this class.

Ceiling: Starting PG or Complimentary off ball guard on a championship level team Floor: Lakers Lonzo Ball/Atlanta Hawks Rajon Rondo Comparison: PG Andrew Wiggins?

Ideal Fits:

1. Washington Wizards

2. San Antonio Spurs

3. Houston Rockets

ATTRIBUTES

Pros:

• Good size

• Can create his own shot

• Plays through contact

• Good body control

• Solid playmaker

• Solid handle

• Promising defensive upside

Cons:

• Has been a non-shooter from 3 so far

• Relatively raw

• Caught somewhere between a PG and a SG but isn't necessarily either

OVERALL

Mould/role: Big defensive guard, inside the perimeter creator

Player Comp: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander lite

Tier: 2

Strengths:

Incredible Defender

Athletic

Good Handles

Good Finisher

Weaknesses:

Bad Shooter

Not good off-ball

Player Comparisons: Jalen Suggs