Stephon Castle has been named the 2024-25 Kia NBA Rookie of the Year, giving the Spurs back-to-back winners and placing him in the rarefied air of franchise legends.
Castle joins an elite Spurs club alongside David Robinson, Tim Duncan and last year’s phenom Victor Wembanyama, making San Antonio the first team in nearly a decade to claim consecutive Rookie of the Year winners.
The 20-year-old guard averaged 14.7 points, 3.7 rebounds and 4.1 assists across 81 games, leading all rookies in scoring and pacing the class in total points, steals and free throws made. Castle’s late-season surge, 17.8 points and 5.0 assists per game post-All-Star break was a defining stretch in his campaign.
Consistency was Castle’s calling card. Twice named Western Conference Rookie of the Month, in January and March, he also claimed MVP honors at the Castrol Rising Stars event during All-Star Weekend in San Francisco.
His selection was no fluke. A panel of 100 global media members handed him the Wilt Chamberlain Trophy.
Castle’s arrival signals something deeper brewing in San Antonio. He’s not just another bright talent; he’s part of a growing core that’s turning potential into tangible progress. Pairing his shot creation and defensive instincts with Wembanyama’s generational presence has made the Spurs appointment viewing once again.
There was no bravado from Castle after the announcement but rather, quiet pride, and the sense this is only the beginning. As the spotlight shifts toward next season, the Spurs find themselves in a familiar position: building something great, one step at a time.
