Stephon Castle Wined 2025 NBA Rookie of the Year

Stephon Castle 2025 Rookie of the Year Award

NBA Rookie of the Year for the 2024–25 season has been awarded to Stephon Castle, a guard with the San Antonio Spurs. Tuesday’s pre-game program on TNT featured the announcement. With 92 out of 100 first-place votes, Castle dominated the ballot. The Atlanta Hawks’ Zaccharie Risacher, the first overall pick in the 2024 draft, finished second with five first-place votes.

Castle led all rookies in points this season, demonstrating his exceptional play. In addition to 3.7 rebounds, 4.1 assists, and 0.91 steals, he averaged 14.7 points per game. After Victor Wembanyama’s victory the previous season, this achievement represents the Spurs’ second straight Rookie of the Year honors. Castle becomes the latest member of a select group of San Antonio athletes to receive this honor, which also includes NBA legends David Robinson and Tim Duncan.

Top rookies have a long history with the Spurs. Only three Spurs players, including Castle, have received this honor: Tim Duncan in 1998, David Robinson in 1990, and Victor Wembanyama in 2024. This legacy highlights the team’s capacity to successfully develop young talent.

Castle won an NCAA national championship with the University of Connecticut, which led him to join the NBA draft. He started 47 of the 81 games he appeared in during his debut season. He and Chris Paul, a seasoned veteran, often shared court time.

Castle’s talent on the court and spirit of competition were praised by Chris Paul. Paul said, “I get so excited watching him play.” “The first thing that I want to see in a teammate or anybody is how competitive they are. That’ll take you further than talent any day.”

In the Rookie of the Year competition, Memphis Grizzlies player Jaylen Wells finished third and earned three first-place votes. Wells showed promise during his rookie season, even though he didn’t win.

This award confirms Castle’s status as a basketball emerging star and highlights his capacity to contribute significantly to his team and league in the coming season.