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The San Antonio Spurs gave Victor Wembanyama a new running mate in the 2024 NBA draft, selecting UConn guard Stephon Castle with the No. 4 overall pick.

Castle is coming off an incredible freshman campaign with the Huskies, securing a spot in the starting lineup and helping the team earn a second consecutive national title.

After the Spurs dealt with inconsistency in the backcourt throughout the 2023-24 season, fans were looking forward to seeing the 19-year-old grow alongside Wembanyama.

Castle averaged 11.1 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 2.9 assists per game in his lone season at UConn. While he struggled from behind the arc with a 26.7 three-point percentage, he still shot 47.2 percent from the field and knocked down 75.5 percent of his free throws.

He’s also a capable defender, able to guard multiple positions with his 6’6″ frame. Castle should help improve a Spurs team that ranked No. 21 in defensive rating last season (via NBA.com).

Bleacher Report’s Jonathan Wasserman mentioned the guard’s ability to run the pick-and-roll in his scouting report of Castle.

“Castle’s ability to handle and facilitate at 6’6″ and 215 pounds separates him as one of the most efficient pick-and-roll operators in this year’s draft class,” Wasserman wrote. “He excelled in ball screens without a reliable pull-up, mostly due to his live-dribble passing and ability to use pacing and physicality while taking it to the rim.”

Although he may not take over lead ball-handling duties for San Antonio in his rookie year, he should still fit seamlessly in head coach Gregg Popovich’s system. Despite the Spurs’ paltry 22-60 record, they still averaged the second-most assists per game among all NBA teams throughout the 2023-24 season.

As San Antonio looks to build around Wembanyama after his 2024 Rookie of the Year win, Castle projects as an ideal partner for the former No. 1 overall pick on both ends of the court.