What’s better than one Jrue Holiday? Two Holidays, of course. Thankfully, the league is getting another copy of him, but not at the Celtics. Stephon Castle, the Spurs’ fourth-round pick, is being dubbed the new and improved version of Jrue Holiday, and it can only be good news for the San Antonio faithful.
According to ESPN’s Jay Bilas, Castle could be a “bigger Jrue Holiday.” During the live broadcast, Bilas said this about the Spurs rookie. Castle was already a top prospect coming into the draft, and the comparison with Holiday is certainly a big achievement on day one.
After an unsuccessful season, the Spurs realized they needed to work on their defensive game to achieve better results. Castle, one of the most skillful UConn guards, could help the franchise achieve its goals.
Castle failed to impress with his shooting, but in his college year, the 19-year-old showed improvement. On the flip side, with his marvelous defense, he can guard the rim well alongside the ROTY Victor Wembanyama. Hopefully, the Silver and Black franchise will be able to franchise their 22-60 record in the following season, with both of them displaying their masterclass on the hardwood.
Dan Hurley Reveals Optimism About Stephon Castle
Dan Hurley was one of the notable faces at Barclays Center on Wednesday night. The UConn HC was pridefully brimming when Castle’s name was called 4th overall.
“This guy, when you look at fit right there, the Spurs value winning, they value workers, they value championships and this is just the perfect player for them to draft for what they do in that organization. This guy’s just scratching the surface,” said Hurley during an interview after Castle had his name called.
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Castle’s path to the NBA could be interesting, and it’s good for him that, after being coached by Hurley, he’ll get a chance to be coached by Gregg Popovich.
Castle might not be a starter in his first season like Victor Wembanyama was in his debut season. However, the guard can make a difference coming off the bench to close out games. His tenacity in defense makes him a real asset to add to a team. Also, he can provide perimeter protection by marking the opponent’s best shooter or ball-handler. The possibilities could be endless, so we must be patient and see what the future brings for the Spurs and Stephon Castle.
Also Read: NBA Draft 2024: Top 5 Young Prospects Teams Should Look Out For
