The Wilt Champion trophy for the NBA’s top rookie of the 2024-25 season has been given to San Antonio Spurs guard Stephen Castle. His remarkable debut season earned him this honour, demonstrating a consecutive win for the Spurs after Victor Wembanyama’s achievement last year.
Adding his name to the talent pool, including David Robinson, Tim Duncan, and Victor Wembanyama, the San Antonio Spurs now have another Rookie of the Year in Stephen Castle. This back-to-back accomplishment made the Spurs the first team with consecutive rookie of the year winners since the Minnesota Timberwolves had two winners in two straight years.
Stephon Castle’s Achievement, San Antonio Spurs’ Glory
The 6-foot-6 Stephon Castle’s consistency with his production across the board all season long played a major role in his recognition. He played 81 games, having an average of 14.7 points, 4.1 assists,3.7 rebounds, and 0.91 steals in 26.7 minutes per game, finishing this season as the high-scoring rookie and ranking among the top six in both assists and steals. Looking at the cumulative stats, his dominance is more evident with his numbers, including 1190 points, 249 free throws, and 74 steals, the highest stats among the rookies.
After the all-star break, Stephon Castle’s performance improved at a new level, with an average of 17.8 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 5.0 assists in 30 games. This consistency and substantial impact led him to two Western Conference rookie of the month awards in January and March. His performance at the NBA All-Star 2025 in San Francisco was a major defining moment, as he achieved MVP of the Castrol Rising Stars event and helped his team make it to the All-Star Game.
Following the vote of 100 members of the global media panel, Ernst & Young LLP verified the process and announced Castle as the league’s top rookie. His consistency on the court, the more strategic play in the season end, and his ability to fight well in the critical situations were the significant factors in his selection. This honour secured the place for a Castle in his team’s history and strengthened the San Antonio Spurs’ reputation for producing talented NBA players.
Also Read: Spurs’ Stephon Castle Makes Confident Rookie Of The Year Claim
