Stephon Castle gets massive compliment from Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards

Stephon Castle was all over All-Star Weekend, and it was a treat for Spurs fans. The rookie from UConn didn't disappoint in any event he participated in, making SA proud every step of the way. He got buckets and played defense in last night's All-Star Tournament, and he won MVP in Friday's Rising Stars Tournament, but his performance in the Slam Dunk Contest left jaws on the floor.

Mac McClung may have won the contest, but that victory didn't come without controversy. McClung used props in his dunks, helping to earn him perfect scores, but they seemed gimmicky compared to Castle, who utilized pure athleticism and creativity. He was refreshing to watch on top of the excitement he brought, and fans weren't the only ones impressed by his display.

"I enjoyed watching Stephon Castle, for sure, in the dunk contest... His potential is scary... If his work ethic is how I think it is, his potential is unlimited." - Anthony Edwards

We agree, Ant.

Castle is the Spurs' best draft pick in a decade

The easy counterargument here would be to name Victor Wembanyama as San Antonio's best draft pick, but that was an obvious selection. You could pull in a biker off the street from a dive bar who has never watched basketball in his life and ask him to make a pick in the 2023 draft. After watching highlights for 5 minutes, he'd draft Wemby. That's not a pick that required much effort.

Stephon Castle, on the other hand, was a homerun selection, and everyone knows it with two months to go. That wasn't the case in the beginning. San Antonio had the fourth pick this time, and speculation on who they should draft was all over the place. He was tied with the fifth-best odds to win Rookie of the Year before the season started. We knew that was wrong way back then.

He's now the favorite to win ROY, shined bright on All-Star Weekend, and Spurs fans are screaming at the coaching staff to put him back in the starting lineup. He's been on a tear lately, playing hard on both sides of the floor and raising his shooting percentage midseason. How impressed the league is with this kid can't be overstated.

Spurs first-round picks over the past 10 years

2024: Stephon Castle
2023: Victor Wembanyama
2022: Jeremy Sochan, Blake Wesley, Malaki Branham
2021: Joshua Primo (ew)
2020: Devin Vassell,
2019: Luka Samanic, Keldon Johnson
2018: Lonnie Walker
2017: Derrick White
2016: Dejounte Murray
2015: Nikola Milutinov
2014: Kyle Anderson

There are good players on this list, but Wembanyama is the only great player. You saw zero flashes of greatness from any other athlete listed here, except for Steph. He's shown poise, production, and focus that great players usually have. He's easily the best draft pick they've made over the past 10 seasons, and Spurs Nation is glad he's here.