UConn alum Stephon Castle got to spend some time around the game’s greats at NBA All-Star weekend, and the greatest of them all gave Castle and the Huskies program some major love.

At his news conference, all-time NBA leading scorer LeBron James talked about what he sees from Castle, who played in the Rising Stars game over All-Star Weekend in Inglewood, Calif.

James credited UConn and head coach Dan Hurley’s system for giving Castle, 21, the basis for his game.

“I like the fact that he went to UConn, and even though he was the most talented guy on the team, that he just kind of went in there and just played his role,” James said. “He defended at a high level. He showed flashes of his athleticism but he didn't step outside the box. He was just fitting in, and they won a national championship. You know, that's a winning player.”

Castle played just one season at UConn – 2023-24 – before declaring for the 2024 NBA Draft. He appeared in 34 games (30 starts) and averaged 11.1 points, 4.7 rebounds and 2.9 assists over 27 minutes per game.

The San Antonio Spurs selected him with the No. 4 overall pick in the draft, and he was the NBA Rookie of the Year in 2024-25 after averaging 14.7 points, 3.7 rebounds and 4.1 assists in 81 games (47 starts)

This season, his production is up across the board: 16.5 points, 5.0 rebounds and 7.0 assists.

“I think we all saw how talented the kid was, and it's the reason why he was a lottery pick and it's the reason why what he's doing now,” James, a 22-time All-Star, said. “The fact that he didn't go somewhere where he could just dominate the ball and shoot a bunch of shots or whatever the case may be – I love that aspect.

“And, obviously, you know him being in San Antonio that also helps, too. It’s like you're gonna learn the game the right way. You're gonna play the game the right way. I mean his talent is obviously spoken for but he just seems like a good kid.”

Castle is playing for another championship this season. The Spurs are 38-16 and in second place in the NBA’s Western Conference, three games behind the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder.

He is third on the Spurs in scoring behind Victor Wembanyama (24.4 points per game) and De’Aaron Fox (19.4). Eight players average in double figures for San Antonio.

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