UTAH JAZZ

Utah Jazz Draft Prospect: UConn G Stephon Castle

May 22, 2024, 5:25 PM

Stephon Castle #5 of the Connecticut Huskies dunks the ball...

Stephon Castle #5 of the Connecticut Huskies dunks the ball (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

(Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

SALT LAKE CITY – UConn guard Stephon Castle is projected to be selected in the lottery of the 2024 NBA Draft where the Utah Jazz own the tenth pick.

The Jazz own three of the top 32 selections in the 2024 draft allowing them to add valuable pieces to their already young core.

Here’s how Castle would fit with the Jazz if he lands in Utah in late June.

Related: Utah Jazz 2024 NBA Draft Prospects

Utah Jazz Draft: Stephon Castle – G – UConn

Stats: 11.1 points, 4.7 rebounds, 2.9 assists: .472/.267/.755

Strengths: A top ten recruit coming out of high school, Castle played a key role in UConn’s championship run as a freshman.

Castle has excellent size for a guard measuring in at 6-foot-5.5 with a 6-foot-9 wingspan at the NBA Combine.

Though most of his scoring came inside the arc, the Georgia native shot an impressive 54 percent on two-point shots in college thanks in large part to his strength and athleticism near the rim.

Castle isn’t a big-time leaper, but with improved spacing in the NBA, his ability to finish above the rim could be a hidden strength.

The guard has adequate wiggle with the ball in his hands and can get into the paint off the dribble, even when defenders have backed off of him to prevent drives. Once he’s near the hoop, Castle can use the euro step and hesitation moves to get his shot off with ease.

Despite a roster filled with several future pros, UConn regularly turned to Castle in the game’s biggest moments where he delivered against the toughest competition.

While his 2.9 assist per game average isn’t elite for a guard, he boasted a promising 2:1 assist-to-turnover ratio and could see that number grow as a full-time ballhandler in the NBA.

Defensively, Castle shows great effort on and off the ball, and is a plus rebounder for a guard.

The 19-year-old fights over screens, jumps passing lanes, shows active hands, and crashes the glass well on both ends of the floor.

The NBA is quickly moving away from one-way players, and Castle’s ability to contribute on offense and defense from an early age fits the direction the league is headed.

Weaknesses: Castle’s three-point shooting is arguably the biggest question mark for any player in the draft.

The guard connected on just 26 percent of his threes in college, and never made more than two in any game.

At this point in his career, he’s neither an effective, nor willing three-point shooter which allows opposing defenders to sag off of him and clog the paint.

There simply aren’t many examples of great NBA guards who can’t shoot.

Due in part to his poor three-point shooting, Castle wasn’t an elite scorer in college averaging only 11.1 points per game, one of the lowest numbers among projected lottery picks.

Though UConn called his number in big moments, he was surrounded by an elite roster which may have helped mask his deficiencies, a luxury not every player in the lottery experienced.

Would Stephon Castle Fit With Jazz In Draft?

Despite the Jazz’s already deep backcourt, they lack the defense and connectivity that Castle projects to bring to an NBA roster.

Though rumors have emerged that he is refusing to work out for teams that already have a point guard on the roster, the Jazz could use Castle as either the primary, or complimentary ballhandler alongside Collin Sexton, Keyonte George, Jordan Clarkson, and Brice Sensabaugh.

The Jazz need star upside, and if Castle’s jump shot develops into even an average NBA weapon he has the other tools required to become a cornerstone piece.

If the shot doesn’t develop, Castle still offers some upside as a defender capable of guarding the opposing team’s best perimeter player, though he’d have to buy into that being his main role.

If George, Sensabaugh, and Taylor Hendricks continue to develop as three-point shooters, Castle’s shooting could be masked in Utah. If those players fail to shoot efficiently, he may have a harder time reaching his full potential.

Are you on Threads yet? Let’s connect, give us a follow @kslsports.

Download the new & improved KSL Sports app from Utah’s sports leader. You can stream live radio, video and stay up to date on all of your favorite teams.

Ben Anderson is the Utah Jazz insider for KSL Sports and the co-host of Jake and Ben from 10-12p with Jake Scott on 97.5 The KSL Sports Zone. Find Ben on Twitter at @BensHoops or on Instagram @BensHoops.

  • Utah Jazz Scoreboard

  • Utah Jazz Team Leaders

  • Utah Jazz Standings

Utah Jazz

Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs drives into Kyle Filipowski #22 of the Utah Jazz...

Ben Anderson

Jazz Split Four-Game Road Trip With Victory Over Spurs

The Utah Jazz played their most complete game of the season beating the San Antonio Spurs 111-110 on the road.

8 hours ago

Isaiah Collier (13) of the Utah Jazz puts up a shot during a NBA preseason game against the Houston...

Ben Anderson

Jazz Rookie Isaiah Collier Scores First Career Basket

Utah Jazz rookie Isaiah Collier recorded his first NBA basket early in the second quarter against the San Antonio Spurs.

10 hours ago

Utah Jazz guard Keyonte George (3) sits on the bench at the end of a game...

Ben Anderson

Jazz Guard Keyonte George Questionable Against Spurs

The Utah Jazz may be without sophomore Keyonte George when they travel to face the San Antonio Spurs on Saturday,

1 day ago

Utah Jazz head coach Will Hardy season...

Ben Anderson

Jazz On Pace For Worst Record, Top Draft Odds

Through 10 percent of the NBA season, the Utah Jazz own the league's worst record, and are on pace to have the best draft lottery odds.

1 day ago

Bobby Portis #9 of the Milwaukee Bucks is defended by Patty Mills #8 of the Utah Jazz...

Ben Anderson

Familiar Problems Plague Jazz In Loss To Bucks

Despite a strong first half, the Utah Jazz fell to the Milwaukee Bucks 123-100 to drop to 1-7 on the season.

2 days ago

Utah Jazz Milwaukee Bucks...

Ben Anderson and Chandler Holt

Utah Jazz Sputter In Second Half, Fall To Bucks In Milwaukee

The Utah Jazz got off to a hot start in Milwaukee before eventually falling flat in the second half and dropping to the Bucks.

2 days ago

Sponsored Articles

Spanish Fork H.S....

Spanish Fork Advances After Comeback Win Over Park City

The Spanish Fork Dons completed a thrilling comeback to beat the Park City Miners 30-24 in the UHSAA quarterfinals.

...

Northern Utah High School Player of the Week – Week 12

The John Watson Northern Utah High School Player of the Week is celebrating the best high school football player in all of Northern Utah, honoring their exceptional performances on the gridiron.

salt lake county player of the week...

Salt Lake County High School Player of the Week – Week 12

The Hercules Salt Lake County High School Player of the Week is celebrating the best high school football player in Salt Lake County, honoring their exceptional performances on the gridiron.

game night live...

How To Watch Game Night Live: Park City Miners @ Spanish Fork Dons

Round three of the UHSAA football playoffs is on tap with spectacular playoff matchups around the Beehive State. Winners move on to the semifinals next weekend, and the 2024 high school football season inches toward its end.

Mr. Mac Utah County High School Player of the Week...

Utah County High School Player of the Week – Week 12

The Mr. Mac Utah County High School Player of the Week is awarded each week to the top prep football players in Utah County. It honors athletes for their performances on the gridiron.

Farmington High School...

American Fork Outlasts Farmington In Defensive Battle

Twelfth-seeded American Fork put together a stout defensive performance, shutting down the Farmington Phoenix in a 21-17 win.

Utah Jazz Draft Prospect: UConn G Stephon Castle