There was no Victor Wembanyama or Paolo Banchero, no Ja Morant or Luka Dončić vying to be NBA Rookie of the Year this season, which means there was no singular candidate whose statistics, style or charisma made them the obvious choice or set them on a clear path to stardom.
But there was Stephon Castle, whose availability to his team, solid play that improved over the season and surprisingly raw power as a dunker were enough to earn him billing as the league’s top rookie in a 2024 draft class that lived up to its reputation as something short of spectacular. Castle was announced the winner of this year’s award on TNT on Tuesday night, prior to Game 5 between the New York Knicks and Detroit Pistons.
The 2024-25 Kia NBA Rookie of the Year is… Stephon Castle!#NBAAwards | #KiaROY | @Kia pic.twitter.com/Mb53JSAFyA
— NBA (@NBA) April 29, 2025
Castle, 20, was drafted fourth last summer out of Connecticut. He is the second consecutive San Antonio Spur to take home the award for the league’s best rookie, following in Wembanyama’s footsteps. Castle played 81 games and led all rookies with a scoring average of 14.7 points per contest — the lowest scoring average for the NBA’s rookie of the year since Malcolm Brogdon won the award in 2017.
Advertisement
Castle beat out the Atlanta Hawks’ Zaccharie Risacher, a France native who was the top pick in last year’s draft, and the Memphis Grizzlies’ Jaylen Wells in a vote by 100 media members covering the NBA.
A 6-foot-6 combo guard with powerful legs that allow him to attack the rim with a vengeance, Castle performed admirably at the league’s slam dunk contest during All-Star weekend, pushing champion Mac McClung in a second-place finish. His raw jumping ability that allows him to dunk in traffic, which can swing momentum in a game, is a weapon Castle used to his advantage.
Castle made 47 starts for the Spurs and shot 43 percent from the field, weighed down by a .285 shooting percentage on four 3-point attempts per game. He also averaged 4.1 assists, 3.7 boards and nearly one steal per game.
Wembanyama missed the remainder of the season post-All-Star break due to a blood clot, and Castle’s production took off in Wemby’s absence. He averaged 17.8 points with 5.1 boards and 5.0 assists after the All-Star break, though his shooting remained consistently inconsistent. Twice the league’s rookie of the month, Castle’s play continued to grow stronger in March, when he averaged 19.5 points, scored in double figures in 15 of 17 games and had a string of six consecutive games with at least 15 points.
Not only did Wembanyama average a double-double as a rookie (21.4 points and 10.6 boards), but he led the NBA with 3.6 blocks per game. Banchero was a 20-point scorer as a rookie, Morant averaged 17.8 points and 7.3 assists, and Dončić bullied his way to 21.2 points, 7.8 boards, and 6.0 assists in his 2019 rookie campaign in Dallas.
Neither Castle nor any member of his rookie class was going to match or even come close to the numbers posted by past winners, but Castle’s play was better than his competitors throughout the long season. Castle also faced his share of adversity, losing not only the best player on his team in Wembanyama, but also his coach. Gregg Popovich, the Spurs’ legendary coach, suffered a stroke in early November and missed the rest of the season.
Advertisement
Risacher, 20, averaged 12.2 points and shot .355 from 3-point range in 75 games for the Hawks, including 73 starts. He led all rookies with games in which he scored at least 30 points (four), including his career-best 38 points against Brooklyn on April 10 — the highest scoring game by any rookie this season.
Wells, 21, was a second-round pick for the Grizzlies and went on to play in 79 games (74 starts), leading all rookies in team wins, starts and 3s (138). He averaged 10.4 points and 3.4 rebounds, but broke his wrist in the Grizzlies’ 79th game, thus missing the Play-In and playoffs for Memphis.
The NBA will unveil its most-improved player award on Wednesday, with MVP and coach of the year still to come. Individual award winners thus far include:
- Sixth Man: Payton Pritchard, Boston Celtics
- Defensive Player: Evan Mobley, Cleveland Cavaliers
- Clutch Player: Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks.
This story will be updated.
(Photo: Ronald Cortes / Getty Images)
This news was originally published on this post .
About the author
As últimas notícias do mercado: as contratações e os rumores de transferências que estão na ordem do dia
Atualizado a 28 de agosto ©IMAGO Já nos encontramos em pleno verão e, por isso, o mercado está ao rubro, com os clubes a acelerarem as negociações de forma a tentarem fechar as contratações de novos jogadores para 2025/26. Fórum Transfermarkt Queres discutir estas transferências e rumores com outros adeptos? Junta-te à conversa no fórum e partilha a tua opinião Acede ao fórum Dos gigantes europeus às movimentações das equipas da Liga Portuguesa, fica a par das notícias que têm agitado o mercado nas últimas horas.As últimas notícias do mercadoGeorgiy Sudakov está muito próximo de se tornar reforço do Benfica. Segundo o 'Record', as águias deverão pagar 30 milhões de euros fixos além de uma verba, não revelada, por objetivos ao Shakhtar Donetsk, fazendo do internacional ucraniano o jogador mais caro da história do clube da Luz.O jornal 'Record' adiantou […]
Atlético-MG pode demitir Cuca após derrota para o Cruzeiro e torcedores reagem: “Já passou da hora”
Cuca está pressionado no Galo - Pedro Vilela/Getty ImagesA derrota para o Cruzeiro pode ter sido a última do técnico Cuca sob o comando do Atlético-MG. A diretoria estuda a demissão do treinador depois do revés em casa para o rival, em jogo válido pela primeira partida das quartas de final da Copa do Brasil. PUBLICIDADE PUBLICIDADEDe acordo com o jornalista Marco Geves, do canal Bica Galo, Cuca entregou o cargo à diretoria do Atlético-MG logo após a derrota. A saída, no entanto, deve ser comunicada pelo clube como algo “consensual”. O anúncio oficial pode ser feito ainda nesta quinta-feira.Cuca não avalia melhora no Atlético-MGNa coletiva depois da derrota para o Cruzeiro, o técnico Cuca já deixou transparecer uma irritação e uma falta de esperança com o futuro do Atlético-MG. Quando questionado sobre uma possível evolução do time, visando o […]
Rivellino surpreende ao destacar qualidade do Flamengo de Filipe Luís: “Ninguém marca nesse meio de campo”
Filipe Luís é o técnico do Flamengo (foto: Wagner Meier/Getty Imagens)A goleada do Flamengo contra o Vitória por 8 a 0 e as boas atuações do líder do Brasileirão nesta temporada continuam a repercutir na imprensa esportiva. O ex-jogador Roberto Rivellino foi mais um a elogiar o desempenho do time carioca em 2025 e surpreendeu ao analisar o meio de campo que “ninguém marca”. PUBLICIDADE PUBLICIDADEEm participação no programa “Cartão Verde”, da TV Cultura, ontem (27), o comentarista esportivo destacou a diferença que tem visto na formação escolhida pelo técnico Filipe Luís com jogadores como Jorginho, Saúl e Arrascaeta, que são muito mais técnicos do que marcadores e por que, mesmo assim, o time rubro-negro consegue roubar tantas bolas dos adversários.“Eu vejo os programas esportivos e só vejo falarem de marcação, que até o centroavante tem que marcar… Aí vem […]
WNBA playoff picture: Standings, schedule as Aces win 12th straight game to grab control of No. 2 seed
Just two weeks remain in the WNBA regular season and the playoff push has produced some thrilling action. Each team has fewer than 10 games remaining, and 10 of the league's 13 teams are within reach of a playoff spot. And while the Minnesota Lynx -- who officially clinched a playoff spot earlier this month -- have opened up a huge lead in the race for the No. 1 seed, every other seed remains up for grabs. On Wednesday, the Las Vegas Aces held off a late comeback attempt from the Atlanta Dream to run their winning streak to 12 games and take sole possession of second place. Las Vegas has now tied the seventh-longest winning streak in WNBA history. The action will continue Thursday with three more games, all of which have playoff implications:Washington Mystics at New York Liberty, 7 p.m. ET […]
První horskou etapu na Vueltě ovládl Australan Vine. Jeho tým přesto utrpěl nepříjemnou ztrátu
KomentářeGLOSA: Sparta v Rize trpěla, cíl ale splnila. Pane Vindahle, díky Fotbalová Sparta splnila cíl, prokousala se předkoly Konferenční ligy do hlavní fáze. Definitivní razítko na postup dala ve středeční odvetě v Rize, kde jí stačila i prohra 0:1. Poslední krok ale pořádně bolel. Letenští trpěli víc než si dokázali před výkopem představit, k maléru nebylo daleko. Po zápase se tedy nabízejí dva úhly pohledu: pochvala za splněný cíl nebo kritika za výkon. Který pohled je realitě blíž?Dnes 12:06
Dawn Staley Says She Would Have Left South Carolina for Knicks’ Head Coaching Job
Dawn Staley said if she'd been offered the New York Knicks head coaching job, she would have felt compelled to leave South Carolina — where she has won three national championships — to take the position.Staley interviewed with the Knicks before they hired Mike Brown last month."I would have had to do it. Not just for me. For women. To break [that door] open," Staley said on the "Post Moves" podcast with Aliyah Boston of the Indiana Fever and former WNBA star Candace Parker. "I would have had to. It’s the New York Knicks. I’m from Philly. But it’s the freaking New York Knicks." Dawn Staley talks with two of her South Carolina players during the national championship game against UConn in April. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images) <!--> -->It's unclear how seriously the Knicks considered hiring Staley.New York interviewed […]
Related
As últimas notícias do mercado: as contratações e os rumores de transferências que estão na ordem do dia
Atualizado a 28 de agosto ©IMAGO Já nos encontramos em pleno verão e, por isso, o mercado está ao rubro, com os clubes a acelerarem as negociações de forma a tentarem fechar as contratações de novos jogadores para 2025/26. Fórum Transfermarkt Queres discutir estas transferências e rumores com outros adeptos? Junta-te à conversa no fórum e partilha a tua opinião Acede ao fórum Dos gigantes europeus às movimentações das equipas da Liga Portuguesa, fica a par das notícias que têm agitado o mercado nas últimas horas.As últimas notícias do mercadoGeorgiy Sudakov está muito próximo de se tornar reforço do Benfica. Segundo o 'Record', as águias deverão pagar 30 milhões de euros fixos além de uma verba, não revelada, por objetivos ao Shakhtar Donetsk, fazendo do internacional ucraniano o jogador mais caro da história do clube da Luz.O jornal 'Record' adiantou […]
Atlético-MG pode demitir Cuca após derrota para o Cruzeiro e torcedores reagem: “Já passou da hora”
Cuca está pressionado no Galo - Pedro Vilela/Getty ImagesA derrota para o Cruzeiro pode ter sido a última do técnico Cuca sob o comando do Atlético-MG. A diretoria estuda a demissão do treinador depois do revés em casa para o rival, em jogo válido pela primeira partida das quartas de final da Copa do Brasil. PUBLICIDADE PUBLICIDADEDe acordo com o jornalista Marco Geves, do canal Bica Galo, Cuca entregou o cargo à diretoria do Atlético-MG logo após a derrota. A saída, no entanto, deve ser comunicada pelo clube como algo “consensual”. O anúncio oficial pode ser feito ainda nesta quinta-feira.Cuca não avalia melhora no Atlético-MGNa coletiva depois da derrota para o Cruzeiro, o técnico Cuca já deixou transparecer uma irritação e uma falta de esperança com o futuro do Atlético-MG. Quando questionado sobre uma possível evolução do time, visando o […]
Rivellino surpreende ao destacar qualidade do Flamengo de Filipe Luís: “Ninguém marca nesse meio de campo”
Filipe Luís é o técnico do Flamengo (foto: Wagner Meier/Getty Imagens)A goleada do Flamengo contra o Vitória por 8 a 0 e as boas atuações do líder do Brasileirão nesta temporada continuam a repercutir na imprensa esportiva. O ex-jogador Roberto Rivellino foi mais um a elogiar o desempenho do time carioca em 2025 e surpreendeu ao analisar o meio de campo que “ninguém marca”. PUBLICIDADE PUBLICIDADEEm participação no programa “Cartão Verde”, da TV Cultura, ontem (27), o comentarista esportivo destacou a diferença que tem visto na formação escolhida pelo técnico Filipe Luís com jogadores como Jorginho, Saúl e Arrascaeta, que são muito mais técnicos do que marcadores e por que, mesmo assim, o time rubro-negro consegue roubar tantas bolas dos adversários.“Eu vejo os programas esportivos e só vejo falarem de marcação, que até o centroavante tem que marcar… Aí vem […]
WNBA playoff picture: Standings, schedule as Aces win 12th straight game to grab control of No. 2 seed
Just two weeks remain in the WNBA regular season and the playoff push has produced some thrilling action. Each team has fewer than 10 games remaining, and 10 of the league's 13 teams are within reach of a playoff spot. And while the Minnesota Lynx -- who officially clinched a playoff spot earlier this month -- have opened up a huge lead in the race for the No. 1 seed, every other seed remains up for grabs. On Wednesday, the Las Vegas Aces held off a late comeback attempt from the Atlanta Dream to run their winning streak to 12 games and take sole possession of second place. Las Vegas has now tied the seventh-longest winning streak in WNBA history. The action will continue Thursday with three more games, all of which have playoff implications:Washington Mystics at New York Liberty, 7 p.m. ET […]
První horskou etapu na Vueltě ovládl Australan Vine. Jeho tým přesto utrpěl nepříjemnou ztrátu
KomentářeGLOSA: Sparta v Rize trpěla, cíl ale splnila. Pane Vindahle, díky Fotbalová Sparta splnila cíl, prokousala se předkoly Konferenční ligy do hlavní fáze. Definitivní razítko na postup dala ve středeční odvetě v Rize, kde jí stačila i prohra 0:1. Poslední krok ale pořádně bolel. Letenští trpěli víc než si dokázali před výkopem představit, k maléru nebylo daleko. Po zápase se tedy nabízejí dva úhly pohledu: pochvala za splněný cíl nebo kritika za výkon. Který pohled je realitě blíž?Dnes 12:06
Dawn Staley Says She Would Have Left South Carolina for Knicks’ Head Coaching Job
Dawn Staley said if she'd been offered the New York Knicks head coaching job, she would have felt compelled to leave South Carolina — where she has won three national championships — to take the position.Staley interviewed with the Knicks before they hired Mike Brown last month."I would have had to do it. Not just for me. For women. To break [that door] open," Staley said on the "Post Moves" podcast with Aliyah Boston of the Indiana Fever and former WNBA star Candace Parker. "I would have had to. It’s the New York Knicks. I’m from Philly. But it’s the freaking New York Knicks." Dawn Staley talks with two of her South Carolina players during the national championship game against UConn in April. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images) <!--> -->It's unclear how seriously the Knicks considered hiring Staley.New York interviewed […]
Be the first to leave a comment