San Antonio Spurs rookie Stephon Castle has been gaining traction in recent weeks, highlighted by his impressive performance at the Rising Stars Challenge that kicked off All-Star weekend.

In Game 1, Castle started for Team C alongside teammates Zach Edey, Keyonte George, Dalton Knecht, and Jaylen Wells. Team C quickly established dominance with a 19-7 lead and maintained control throughout, even as Team T attempted to close the gap. Castle primarily took on the role of playmaker, delivering several standout assists and setting up his teammates during fast breaks. He nearly executed a spectacular windmill dunk, only to lose the ball mid-air, yet his momentum miraculously guided it through the hoop.

Castle concluded the game with 6 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists, including a crucial assist for the game-winning basket, which propelled his team to a 40-34 victory and secured their spot in Game 3.

In a tightly contested Game 2, Team G League edged out Team M, setting the stage for the final match. Castle once again took the starting position in Game 3, where the challenge was between maintaining rhythm and taking a rest. He energized his team with aggressive drives to the basket, helping Team G League gain a 12-8 advantage. Following an important timeout, Castle played a pivotal role in propelling his team to a dominant 17-2 run, ultimately winning 25-14. He delivered another assist for the game-winner, this time to George for a three-pointer.

Castle led his team with 12 points and added 2 assists, earning the MVP title of the Rising Stars Challenge. With this victory, Team C is set to compete as the fourth team in the All-Star game on Sunday, marking Castle’s participation across all three days of All-Star weekend, including his upcoming appearance in the Slam Dunk Contest. The young star is off to an exhilarating start, so keep an eye out for his performances!

Additional Insights

• In the introductions, the arena announcer referred to Castle as a “play-making, point-of-attack defender,” a fitting description. He also touted Edey as a “serious Rookie of the Year candidate,” but it’s worth noting that Edey isn’t even the frontrunner on his own team—Wells currently holds that title. Nonetheless, Castle is clearly ahead in the Rookie of the Year race.
• Having tracked him during his college days at Arkansas and his tenure with the Orlando Magic, I barely recognized Anthony Black with his braided hairstyle. I’ve always known him for his flowing afro, making his fully visible face appear almost unrecognizable.
• In Game 1, Alex Sarr made a three-pointer while Edey was contesting his shot. The sight of seven-footers engaging in perimeter plays was once uncommon, but with players like Nikola Jokic and Victor Wembanyama setting a new standard, such occurrences are becoming more frequent.
• The “defense-optional” mindset seems to have made its way into the Rising Stars Challenge. Although players may be cautious to avoid injuries, this trend likely won’t please league commissioner Adam Silver. While I’ve never been particularly fond of All-Star Weekend, this doesn’t enhance the experience. (To be fair, the defensive intensity improved in Game 2, which carried over into Game 3 since the stakes were higher. Here’s hoping that level of play will continue into the actual All-Star game.)
• The Thompson twins were a delight to watch as they played together and were arguably the co-MVPs of Team M. However, Ausur’s four missed free throws during Game 2 significantly affected their chances against Team G League. Together with another miss from Toumani Camara, Team M squandered five consecutive free throws while sitting at 35 points. Successfully making those could have clinched the game, but instead, Team G League staged a comeback, clinching victory with a contested three-pointer from Bryce McGowens to advance to Game 3.