San Antonio Spurs guard Stephon Castle has formally been declared the NBA's 2024-25 Rookie of the Year, establishing him as one of the league's brightest rising stars.

The 20-year-old Georgia native followed the footsteps of Victor Wembanyama, who also got the same award last season.

Castle Wins Plurality Vote in Competitive Rookie Class

Spurs' Stephon Castle Wins 2025 NBA Rookie of the Year Spurs' Stephon Castle Wins 2025 NBA Rookie of the Year
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Castle accumulated an overwhelming 92 first-place votes, with no one in doubt about who should have the distinction. Zaccharie Risacher of the Atlanta Hawks took the second spot with five votes, followed by Memphis Grizzlies' Jaylen Wells with three. Castle's consistent play and two-way contribution had him as the clear leader by the end of the season.

Back-to-Back ROY Wins for San Antonio Spurs

According to Bleacher Report, Castle's win marks the second consecutive Rookie of the Year award for the Spurs franchise, following last season's standout performance from Wembanyama, the 2023 No. 1 overall pick.

Castle now becomes the fourth Spur in history to win the award, joining a legendary group that includes David Robinson and Tim Duncan, both of whom went on to become league MVPs and Hall of Famers.

Defying the Odds as a No. 4 Draft Pick

In contrast to past Spurs ROY award winners, Castle did not get chosen first overall. Rather, he was chosen No. 4 in what most perceived to be a lacking draft class. December brought word that early-season darling Jared McCain suffered a season-ending injury, which cleared the way for Castle to claim the limelight—and he never gave it back.

Strong Rookie Numbers Demonstrate Well-Rounded Skill Set

Castle posted strong numbers all season, averaging 14.7 points, 4.1 assists, and 3.7 rebounds per game. Off the box score, he was a defensive force, displaying the gritty perimeter defense that led UConn to a national championship. Though his jump shot is still a work in progress, his versatility and potential indicate a promising future,

Spurs' Talent Pipeline Continues to Impress

With Castle and Wembanyama leading the way, San Antonio's youth revolution appears stronger than ever. The Spurs are set up for a possible three-peat, with two lottery picks in the next draft, partially thanks to the Dejounte Murray trade with Atlanta.

With their history of developing players, the chances are great that another Rookie of the Year candidate will be donning silver and black next year.