NBA Comparison: Stephon Castle

Strengths: 6’5 combo guard … Very good length … High-level and explosive athlete. Quick twitch and very fluid movements with a lot of shift and wiggle. Great speed, thriving in the open floor but also displays his athleticism in the half-court and finds dunk opportunities off the vertical in game situations. Very good body control … Isn’t reliant on triple-threat. Can score in isolation, creating shots for himself at a high rate with his quickness and little effort, typically without over-dribbling. Changes speed and direction very well with the ball. Moves well off the ball. Efficient scorer: 10 PPG 64% FG% U17 World Cup 2024, 19.9 PPG 54.8% FG% Nike EYBL 2025, 5.7 PPG 65.2% FG% U19 World Cup 2025 … Isn’t afraid to take it to the rim to score. Euro-steps and maneuvers well in the congested paint, drawing fouls at a high rate. Shot 6.6 free throws per game over the Nike EYBL in 2025 … Very good rebounder on both ends, especially for position. Quick off the ground and reads tip-slam opportunities well. Averaged 7.2 (3.1 offensive) rebounds per game over the Nike EYBL in 2025 … Keeps turnovers low considering his usage: 0.8 TOPG U16 AmeriCup 2023, 0.6 TOPG U17 World Cup 2024, 1.8 TOPG Nike EYBL 2025, 0.5 TOPG U19 World Cup 2025 … Plays both ends of the floor with good energy, tenacity, and instincts. Light on his feet and glides on the court. Isn’t afraid to pick up and pressure the ball full court. Fights over screens. Aggressive double-team and trap defender. Disruptive jumping passes and hounding the ball-handler with great lateral quickness to come up with a lot of steals. Steal stats: 1.2 SPG U16 AmeriCup 2023, 2^nd best 3.4 SPG U17 World Cup 2024, 1.6 SPG Nike EYBL 2025, 1 SPG U19 World Cup 2025. Turns defense into offense and looks to start the break … Good shot blocker for position. Averaged 1.2 blocks per game over the Nike EYBL in 2025 … Vocal leader …

Weaknesses: Has room to get stronger … While his shot mechanics don’t look bad but he’s not a good shooter. Misses his jump shots and free throws a different way each time; too short, too long, off to the side, etc. 3PT shooting: 0% 3PT% (0-5) U16 AmeriCup 2023, 10% 3PT% (1-10) U17 World Cup 2024, 28% 3PT% 2.8 3PT Nike EYBL 2025, 0% 3PT% (0-6) U19 World Cup 2025 … Poor free throw shooter:  50% FT% U16 AmeriCup 2023, 27.8% FT% U17 World Cup 2024, 57.6% FT% Nike EYBL 2025, 50% FT% U19 World Cup 2025 … Can improve finishing at the rim when he doesn’t dunk. Can tighten up as a ball-handler as he can be reliant on physical and athletic gifts, will need to continue to improve and expand offensive technique … Draws fouls at a high rate but ends up on the ground looking for a foul somewhat frequently … Capable court vision and passing ability but still has room to grow as a playmaker. Will need to find the balance between scoring vs distributing. Averaged 1.6 assists to 1.8 turnovers per game over the Nike EYBL in 2025. This development would give him more intrigue as a combo guard that he’s labeled as, rather than a two-guard that lacks consistent shooting … Can be too aggressive defensively and gets himself into foul trouble … Made a questionable decision to sit out the majority of the Nike EYBL season going into his senior year … Wears his emotion at times …

Outlook: Transferred to Sierra Canyon for his senior year … Won Gold at the U16 AmeriCup in 2023, U17 World Cup in 2024, and U19 World Cup in 2025 …

Evan Tomes 10/28/25