Stephon Castle Q&A: NBA Rookie of the Year Talks Wemby, Spurs greats, UConn

Stephon Castle Talks Spurs’ Playoff Goals, Guarding NBA Stars & Victor Wembanyama – Exclusive Athlon Sports Interview (5:18)

[The following Q&A has been lightly edited for clarity.]

Athlon Sports: Right off the top, Steph, tell us about your partnership with USAA.

Stephon Castle: Yeah, I partnered with them to learn a little bit about the prevention of house fires, just knowing how important it is, knowing how many house fires happen per year — 150,000 house fires per year. So just learning the importance of that was definitely great. And yeah, it was a great day.

Did they teach you how to put out a grease fire?

They did. They showed me a couple ways. One, you just cover the pot back up.

And then, you know, the new fire blanket that I used to cover the fire, that was also cool.

Hell yeah.Are you going to have one of those in your house?

Probably now. Yeah. So I'll probably go grab one now.

Nice. Hell yeah.Just to get into some basketball questions real quick. Tell me this: What's your dream Spurs starting five?

I'll go Tony [Parker] at the one. I'll put Kawhi [Leonard] at the two. I'll probably go … Let’s put Kawhi at the three. I'll put Manu [Ginobili] at the two. … No, I actually scratch that. No, I'll keep that. I'll put Vic [Wembanyama] at the four, and then I'll put Timmy [Duncan] at the five.

I like that. That would be a good— team.So basically, the classic Spurs with Wemby in there as well.

With Wemby, yeah.

Very good, very good. Tell me this. You're very good at defense.Who are the top three hardest guys you've had to guard in the NBA?

Top three hardest? I don't know. I don't like giving people credit.

Yeah, I respect that.

I'll give you top three, though. Top three, I'll say ... I'm not going to get no order, though.

That's fine.

I'll put Kyrie [Irving] up there, for sure. I'll put Shai [Gilgeous-Alexander] up there. And … I put Paolo [Banchero] up there.

He's got a big body.

Yeah. Yeah. A lot of, a lot of, a lot of shoulder bumps. I don't know if they're all legal, but a lot of shoulder bumps.

Yeah, he's definitely the most physical of those three. All right. Tell me this. A lot of people think that the Spurs could take a leap this year. What do you think your guys' ceiling is?

I don't really want to put a cap on what our, on what our season, you know, could look like. You know, I have a lot of confidence in our guys this year. You know, we have aspirations to succeed in the playoffs this year, not just make the playoffs. So, you know, I don't really want to put a ceiling on it. I feel like that's for other people to say.

I respect that.So for me, I'll be like, yo, low key, the Spurs are a contender this year. How about that?

Yeah. Let's just say that. All right.

So a lot of people play against Wemby, but you're on his team. So you're in practice a lot with him. Tell me this: If you're going against Wemby and you're on offense, what's the best way to score on Wemby? … All right, so, yeah, you're driving down the court. It happens to be a fast break. It's you versus him going down the court. You can make your move, do whatever you want.

I mean, I don't really know. I mean, you have to find space for a jump shot. I mean, it doesn't really matter what move you put on. If you're just going to go to the basket, [he ’s] going to block it. So find space for a jump shot, I'd say. Unless I have teammates and I can get a screen.

So you screen on them and then go around. That'd be your move?

I mean, I wouldn't say go around and probably still try and find space for a jump shot. But yeah.

Respect. All right. Kind of off that. What's the best way to guard him?For you personally, you're a guard. You're a little smaller than him. If you're guarding Wemby, what are you going to try to do to stop him?

Try and keep him on the perimeter. I mean, he could shoot over, but, I mean, it's easier [to defend] than a paint jump shot for him or a drop step. So just try and get into his legs from the perimeter. That's probably your best bet.

There we go. That's the best bet for you for sure.

Yeah, for me.

What do you think about him training at the Buddhist temple this summer?

I really don't know. I really didn't have too many thoughts on it. I know it helped him mentally. I know that's a big commitment to make. So, I mean, just if he can make a commitment on something like that outside of what he does every day in basketball, then, you know, sky's the limit.

Respect. All right, just two more questions. Back to college a little bit. Do you think Danny Hurley is going to leave UConn anytime soon to come to the NBA?

I don't think so. No, I don't think so.

You think that's where his home is?

Yeah. I mean, I've seen, I mean, I've heard things from coach, you know, just being in those practices, being in those, you know, film sessions. I mean, I feel like he, I don't think he's going anywhere. He loves UConn.

Respect. Hypothetically, if he did come to the NBA, do you think Danny Hurley could be a good NBA coach?

Yeah, absolutely. I mean, I feel like he'll succeed coaching anywhere. I mean, as long as you can take his coaching and don't shy away from it.

WNBA, you think he can still do it?

Yeah. I mean, I don't see why not.

Respect. All right. Last but not least, this is kind of a different question. Have you seen your Wikipedia photo?

No.

No? My coworker sent it to me. It's kind of interesting. Take a look. That's straight up what they have for your Wikipedia photo. Most people got like a team photo or something and it's just you looking inside.

Is that at the White House?

I think that's what we were assuming.

It was probably at the White House. Yeah, I think that's at the White House.

That's a weird picture. … One more question. What's your dream UConn starting five?

Dream UConn starting five? Our 2024 natty team. That's my dream starting five. That's the best five we got.

Respect. No, that team was absolutely. You guys were like a well-oiled machine. Frickin’ Cam Spencer, you, and all those guys. You guys were absolutely nasty. So I respect your answer.

Yes, sir. Appreciate you.