Lost in the San Antonio Spurs' strong start, Victor Wembanyama's emergence as an MVP candidate, and injuries is the play of Stephon Castle. Castle has steadily gotten better as the young season has worn on, with him rapidly improving game after game.
Through the first nine games this season, Castle is averaging an impressive 18.2 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 7.4 assists, and shooting 49% and from the field. He has also been tasked with playing point guard for the first time in the NBA, giving him valuable experience.
There have been some mistakes, namely turnovers, with him racking up 42 turnovers in his first nine games, that he will have to cut down on. Nevertheless, the positives far outweigh the negatives.
Stephon Castle’s early leap suggests critics were way off base
For instance, despite some turnover isues, Castle has has steadily improved as passer, dishing out 27 dimes in a 24 span against the Houston Rockets and New Orleans Pelicans games.
THIRTEEN assists for Steph (!!!) : pic.twitter.com/1iAZd1Jomf
— Bala (@BalaPattySZN) November 8, 2025
Stephon Castle tonight
• 14 points
• 14 ASSISTS pic.twitter.com/CTI6As67Ug
— Bala (@BalaPattySZN) November 9, 2025
He ranks second on the team in free throw attempts per game, averaging 7.3 free throws, a ridiculous number for a second-year player. That has helped his efficiency, with him boasting a 60.3 true shooting percentage, well above league average.
He's also shooting an eye-popping 78.8% at the rim, making him an elite finisher, especially with nearly one-third of his shots being taken there.
Castle will still have to improve as a shooter, converting on 24.3% of his 4.5 3-point attempts per game and shooting 69.6% from the line. He is at least taking threes at a high clip.
Perhaps Castle's biggest test will be how to adapt with De'Aaron Fox back. Castle has played primarily with the ball in his hands, giving him ample opportunity, but he will have to slide down to third in the pecking order.
De'Aaron Fox could help Stephon Castle break out
While Fox's return could hurt Castle, it may actually help him. Taking the ball out of Castle's hands may help him cut down on the turnovers. After all, with Fox being the primary ballhandler, Castle won't be tasked with creating every possession he's on the floor.
That would free him up to spot up, attack closeouts, or score off cuts. He would still have the opportunity to run pick and rolls and attack the paint and finish, and, of course, draw free throws.
Hopefully, that will simplify things for him, allowing him to minimize mistakes and maximize what he does well. It should also give him more energy to focus on the defensive end, where he has already emerged as an impressive defender.
If Castle can settle in and average 17.5 points per game on similar efficiency, then that would cement him as the team's third option. That would be a huge development considering that he could emerge as the team's third star, even as he continues to improve.