After a dramatic offseason overhaul, the San Antonio Spurs are primed to break out. While much of the attention will be on De'Aaron Fox and Victor Wembanyama, reigning Rookie of the Year Stephon [Castle will also play a huge role](https://airalamo.com/michael-wilbon-stephon-castle-comp-spurs-fans-salivating).
Castle's versatility will come into play next season in a big way. While he was seen as a shooting guard who could eventually play at point guard, the addition of Fox and Dylan Harper may require him to adapt his position.
That could eventually mean that he will have to play small forward. No matter what position he plays, he will have to be comfortable playing off-ball. Doing so will require him to improve as a shooter to thrive in a new role.
Stephon Castle's growth will be key to the Spurs' playoff hopes
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Despite him shooting just 27% from three as a rookie, Castle flashed shooting potential not normally seen from a player with a reputation as a non-shooter. In a 12-game span before last season's all-star break, Castle drilled 41% of threes on 3.4 attempts per game.
No one's expecting him to be that level of shooter next season. But if he can settle in at around 36% or 37% from outside on at least four attempts per game, it would go a long way to helping both his game and the Spurs.
That is currently the biggest hole in his offensive game, with him not being a reliable threat from outside. With Fox and Harper on the team as well as Jeremy Sochan, the Spurs need him to make strides as a spot-up shooter for them to reach their full potential.
Castle already displays a terrific knack for getting to the basket. He often uses screens to get downhill and uses a combination of hesitation dribbles to keep defenders off balance while also possessing explosive athleticism.
He may have to share the ball with more teammates next season, but he should still have plenty of opportunities in those situations, playing more minutes and more with starters. Castle is also talented at drawing fouls, but those aforementioned skills could be made even better if he can knock down open threes.
Stephon Castle will have to adapt and thrive in a new role
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Defense will also play a big part in his potential role. Castle showed the ability and has the physical tools to be a strong defender. Starting alongside Fox and Devin Vassell means that he will likely be tasked with defending the other team's best guard and even some wings.
That's a big task for a second-year player, but with Fox and Wembanyama being the focal points of the offense, more of Castle's impact will have to come on the defensive end.
Overall, expectations for Castle will be sky-high, but his role will be different from what many expect from him. If he can become a reliable shooter and excel at defending the other team's best perimeter player, then he could thrive playing more off-ball.