UConn basketball is obviously brimming with ebullience after becoming just the eighth team to win back-to-back NCAA Tournaments, but that does not change the fact that this is a challenging job. Despite making it look easy the past couple of seasons, head coach Dan Hurley has been faced with plenty of barriers that should have hindered him and his program.
Multiple important players from the 2023 title team left for the NBA last year, forcing others to carry more responsibilities this season. More stars and key contributors from this championship run are now leaving as well. Actually, following the latest news, UConn will have an entirely new starting five for the next campaign.
Stephon Castle is declaring for the 2024 NBA Draft, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. The freshman guard nursed a knee injury early in the season but quickly proved himself to be a valuable two-way contributor for a Huskies squad that managed to be even more dominant than they were last March. He scored a team-high 21 points versus Alabama in the Final Four and enjoyed a solid showing against Purdue in the championship game (15 pts., five rebounds).
Although his shooting stroke needs some honing before a team can truly lean on him in the next level, there was never a doubt that Castle would be jumping to the NBA. He solidified his lottery-pick status and is currently predicted to be selected in the top 10 of many mock drafts.
His departure makes Hurley’s offseason chore list more demanding, but the two-time champ is taking the time to celebrate this talented 19-year-old, whom he believes is one-of-a-kind.
“No Freshman impacted WINNING like this Champion,” Dan Hurley posted on X shortly after Castle officially made his decision. “His combination of talent, work ethic and humility…And GREAT parents!!”
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