NEW YORK – Former UConn men's basketball star Stephon Castle was named the NBA Rookie of the Year on Tuesday (April 29). Castle is the second Husky to earn the NBA's top rookie honor, joining 2005 winner Emeka Okafor.

Castle starred for the Spurs in his inaugural NBA season, playing in 81 games and posting averages of 14.7 points, 4.1 assists and 3.7 rebounds in 28.8 minutes per game. He shot 42.8 percent from the floor while adding nearly a steal per game. He scored a career-high 26 on Jan. 15 at Memphis and scored 20 or more in a game on nine occasions.

Castle posted five double-doubles and increased his role gradually as the season went along, starting 47 games in total. While his Spurs squad struggled with key injuries, Castle made his presence felt as a rookie and was named MVP of the Rising Stars Challenge.

The 6'6 guard spent one season at Connecticut but made it a memorable one, earning BIG EAST Freshman of the Year and playing a crucial role on the 2024 national title team. Castle posted averages of 11.1 points, 4.7 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game while starting the final 28 games of UConn's 37-3 campaign. He turned up his performance in the season's biggest moments, including a career-high 21 points in the Final Four vs. Alabama. Castle was named to the 2024 NCAA East Regional All-Regional Team and the Final Four All-Tournament Team.

Castle joins Okafor as UConn's two Rookie of the Year winners and continues a strong tradition of Huskies in the NBA. UConn concluded the 2024-25 season with eight active Huskies and have three currently competing in the NBA Playoffs.