How Does Devastating Injury News Impact Stephon Castle?

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Jonah Kubicek | Last updated Dec 15, 2024 3:32 PM ET

On Saturday, the unfortunate news broke that promising young rookie Jared McCain of the Philadelphia 76ers has torn his meniscus and will be out indefinitely. In what has already been a nightmare for the 7-16 Sixers, the news just keeps getting worse and worse. McCain had a comfortable lead on the latest NBA Rookie Ladder, but his injury news opens up the door for San Antonio Spurs fourth overall pick Stephon Castle.

While Castle now becoming the frontrunner to win the award is bittersweet, as no one wanted to see McCain hurt, Silver and Black fans can't help but be excited about the possibility of two Spurs winning ROTY in a row.

Castle is averaging 12.8 points (second only to McCain among rookies), 3.8 assists (second to Bub Carrington), and 2.6 rebounds per game. He is easily the best perimeter defender in the draft class and is second among rookies in minutes played, and the Spurs have relied on him very heavily this season as Devin Vassell, Tre Jones, and Jeremy Sochan all battle injuries.

According to FanDuel, Castle's +125 odds to win Rookie of the Year are now the best in the NBA after McCain went down with an injury. Hopefully, he will make a speedy and full recovery, but the nature of the injury means his promising season is in jeopardy.

Castle has only missed one game this season and is questionable on Sunday night against the New Orleans Pelicans as he battles a shoulder injury, but he is not worried about the long-term effects of the bump.

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This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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