NBA Bound Stephan

[Mr. French]

All good discussion points here, and all super valid.

I’d just caution everyone that he just came back and is just getting comfortable as a frosh, on a veteran team, off an injury.

The team and him individually will be greatly different, good bad or whatever, by March.

 

[Dutch Boyd]

Completely different time period.

Mmmk lol

 

[DogMania]

It’s not going to be a good look if a projected top 10 pick comes back for another year the one chance we have with a one and done prospect. That’s the reality.

I’m not saying it will happen. I’m saying it’s something we should hope doesn’t happen. It will be a dock on our development pitch.

I'm not sure about that. It's not that unusual for highly touted athletic freshmen who haven't learned to shoot the ball well and/or demonstrate a solid level of D1 play to end up returning to hone their game for another year. The fact that he missed a bunch of games due to an injury, and needed time to show his A-game won't likely cast UConn as a non-destination for future potential 1-and-done recruits.

Maybe I'm wrong, but I think NBA teams won't see him as a lottery pick if Castle doesn't improve his ability to be more decisive in the half court offense and improving his ability to finish in the paint. Since he returned, the half court flow seems to stop flowing when he's out there. He's good at taking it to the basket, but has struggled to finish both at the rim and midrange.

Now there's a lot of ball to be played and time to acclimate to the motion offense and improve all aspects of his game. One comparison that comes to mind is Caron Butler. Granted, Caron made his jump to the NBA after his sophomore year. He struggled with his shot the first half to 3/4 of his sophomore season, but then he corrected a flaw in his jump shot (added a little more arc on it) went on a tare carrying the team the rest of the way. Castle doesn't need to carry the team. He just needs to play like a starter, show the skills people expect (physically attacking the rim, decisively setting up his teammates and playing lockdown D) and improve his midrange and deep J and he'll continue to be in the lottery conversation.

 

[Gurleyman]

This is the most likely scenario as far as I'm concerned: he'll fall from top 5 to #12 or so, have a so-so season, but not really be the force we were expecting and limit our ceiling (especially given that the skills he provides are exactly the gap we need to fill).

The good news is, as a guard, he's more likely to figure it out quickly, but this is becoming more of a hope and an extrapolation than an expectation based on existing evidence.

That’s kind of where I’m at. Theres no evidence at this point that he’s going to have much of an impact this year on offense at least. It’s one thing to be rusty and not finish plays or shots, but trouble is that he’s not creating good opportunities in the first place - and the ball tends to stick when it comes to him and our possessions bog down. Maybe be can be effective as a 4-man in a small lineup where he can operate 10 feet and in and try to use his quickness against bigger players until he finds his way. But that’s certainly not the role any of us envisioned.

I will say that I felt much the same way about Newton last year around the end of January when he was sputtering and not contributing much on offense, so perhaps the sophistication of some of our sets makes it tough on guards who find themselves overthinking and not simply playing. Which can be exacerbated when you’ve been out a while.

 

[Deleted at users request]

That’s kind of where I’m at. Theres no evidence at this point that he’s going to have much of an impact this year on offense at least. It’s one thing to be rusty and not finish plays or shots, but trouble is that he’s not creating good opportunities in the first place - and the ball tends to stick when it comes to him and our possessions bog down. Maybe be can be effective as a 4-man in a small lineup where he can operate 10 feet and in and try to use his quickness against bigger players until he finds his way. But that’s certainly not the role any of us envisioned.

I will say that I felt much the same way about Newton last year around the end of January when he was sputtering and not contributing much on offense, so perhaps the sophistication of some of our sets makes it tough on guards who find themselves overthinking and not simply playing. Which can be exacerbated when you’ve been out a while.

I would just say wait until he’s playing starter minutes again before coming to any conclusions. It’s not fair to judge him before he’s fully back in his regular role.

 

[UCan3]

I would just say wait until he’s playing starter minutes again before coming to any conclusions. It’s not fair to judge him before he’s fully back in his regular role.

I would agree - surprised at speculation of him being a a bust so early in season. If other players has excelled last night and Stephan had not - maybe more understandable. But there was not one player that player well last night - except for Clingan who as we all know left the game early.

For me, the sloppy passes, lack of hustle, bricks, those are a bit concerning but hoping he is just gettin ready to show us what he’s got.

 

[HooperScooper]

I would just say wait until he’s playing starter minutes again before coming to any conclusions. It’s not fair to judge him before he’s fully back in his regular role.

This. How many minutes has he played this season? Way too early to jump to any conclusions. I'm surprised at some of you. I will be sure to bump this thread when he starts playing very well. It'll be easy to find this thread. I can just search for "Stephan" since I don't think anyone on here has ever called him that.

 

[navery12]

Mmmk lol

Last year there were 3 sophomores, 3 juniors, 4 seniors drafted in the 1st round. In Rudy's draft there were 7 sophomores, 7 juniors, 8 seniors drafted. So yes, different NBA

 

[willie99]

Problem solvers are out in force today. We must have lost last night

Does anyone or anything, from freshmen to team chemistry to Debbie Downers, ever grow from experience? Rhetorical question people, two out of three catagoricories do. The third will just find something new that they think all of us should worry about

So darn cute, bless their hearts for teaching us all basketball and life

 

[Hans Sprungfeld]

Try this on; it fits for me:

I'm seeing a player who doesn't quite fit, and it affects the team's play. As such, I'm not particularly impressed.

Nevertheless, he has to play in order to get the reps to integrate well with the team. This is what all parties signed up for.

Right now, it's a reasoned leap of faith, not what we want to be seeing, but fully necessary.

Ironically, the circumstances bear surface resemblance to the Jaylin Stewart discussion. It's still 2023.

 

[jibsey]

Stephan,
We know you can drive just show us a 3, a midrange and don't throw the ball away. it's a we ask.

 

[Dutch Boyd]

Last year there were 3 sophomores, 3 juniors, 4 seniors drafted in the 1st round. In Rudy's draft there were 7 sophomores, 7 juniors, 8 seniors drafted. So yes, different NBA

Good job using google mate. Regardless what a few dudes on the boneyard think, UConn will be just fine if by chance he comes back.

 

[Hans Sprungfeld]

Stephan,
We know you can drive just show us a 3, a midrange and don't throw the ball away. it's a we ask.

C'mon, you're regressing: continued misspelling of his name; multiple instances of absent and/or incorrect punctuation; lack of capitalization; careless "a" to instead of "all."

My mild suggestion is that you take a rest and return with greater attention to detail. You'll be modeling for Stephon what you want from him. As such, it's not too big of an ask.

 

[navery12]

Good job using google mate. Regardless what a few dudes on the boneyard think, UConn will be just fine if by chance he comes back.

What on Earth does that have to do with what I just said?

 

[PAHusky]

You clearly saw his individual NBA level skills. He's still trying to fit in and will likely struggle playing 3rd/4th option on offense until he cracks the starting lineup.

But why should he crack the starting lineup if he can’t figure out how to not be lead dog? He’s gotten run with both starters and the second team. Should he be starting and we be running the offense through him? If not, can he shoot well enough to start but not be option 1a? He’s like a poor man’s AJax until he starts shooting even decently

 

[PNolanFan]

With Castle, I think if he ends up not going into the draft it wont be a bad look due to extenuating circumstances. Hurley can talk to recruits and say an injury derailed his season so he came back and dominated as a sophomore and then was a lottery pick. I think if you are still here as a junior then it starts to be a problem. Selfishly I think if he ends up needing to come back he could be an all american as a sophomore

 

[Hans Sprungfeld]

What on Earth does that have to do with what I just said?

It's not extraterrestrially bad, it just doesn't evidence any consideration that what seems at greatest risk might be UConn as a good destination for a one-and-done prospects and not UConn as a good/great program.

 

[FearThePups]

He better step up his game to get picked at #5. I think he needs to start and live or die with him in there for 30 minutes a game. Confident in staff to put him in position for both him and team to be successful. I wish we were hearing stories of him shooting 500-1000 threes every day. Needs big minutes to get him in the flow.

He needs to have an outside shot. I’m perplexed how he’s a one and done.

 

[uconnever]

He just started playing college ball like how many games ago? He’s behind. This guy will be a problem by March, really before that. Only negative about him is he isn’t a good shooter. But he looks like he will be will hard work. He’s good!

 

[TouchdownHusky]

It's not nonsense, getting to the NBA is priority 1, 2 and 3 for the top 10-20 recruits every year. And that would be used by every single opposing coach in future recruitments, the same way Hurley would try to point to Bouknight and Hawkins when he's recruiting a 50th ranked guard

Nonsense. Getting to the NBA should be priority 1, 2, and 3 for the top 60 - 70 guys playing COLLEGE basketball right now. Not 10 - 20 high school hotshots who have NOT proved they are what they were projected to be. Castle needs to improve in several facets in the game before he considers the NBA and that may take another year or two (much like Hawkins).

 

[Deleted at users request]

Nonsense. Getting to the NBA should be priority 1, 2, and 3 for the top 60 - 70 guys playing COLLEGE basketball right now. Not 10 - 20 high school hotshots who have NOT proved they are what they were projected to be. Castle needs to improve in several facets in the game before he considers the NBA and that may take another year or two (much like Hawkins).

 

[connVA]

If the pundits say he’s a lottery pick, I’m not going to disagree. That said, with his inability to shoot from outside, the coaching staff will need to figure out how to best deploy him on offense. Hall wasn’t fully sagging off him a la the AJ Island defense last night but it’s definitely coming.

 

[hookshot]

Stephon will be a lottery pick this upcoming draft, no doubt about it.
If you sat through any of his AAU and US team games, you can see it. I felt he wasn't comfortable in his shoes last night and was trying to force things because the team was worse than stagnant.
BTW - I agree 100% with HW611 - it won't be a good look IF he does not go lottery next spring.

If he stinks up the place at this level (which he has so far) then he'll stink up the place at the next level where most everybody is uber athletic but most have a game other than going to the rim (Andre excepted, and he is marginal at best at the NBA level). Let's watch him get more comfortable and better here, whether it takes one year or two, or whatever.

 

[TouchdownHusky]

As fans, we should be rooting for NBA careers that come about from 2 or 3 season of development at UConn (see Sanogo, Hawkins nd Jackson most recently). Not a bunch of one-and-done's. Not that we wouldn't take them but, UConn is not Kentucky or Duke that can survive 1 or more one-and-done's on a consistent basis. UConn has slipped somewhat after each NC because of early departures. So consistency.

 

[Hunt for 7]

He needs to have an outside shot. I’m perplexed how he’s a one and done.

Did you see what happened when he ran into the SH guard. He is an nba prospect because he is a true 6’6” and he is exceptionally strong with a good handle. That allows him to get anywhere on the court he wants to go. I think we are seeing trepidation due to lack of confidence associated with not only the injury but just getting back into the flow. I would say he looked like he was pressing but don't think that’s it. Personally if he just shows up and plays D against opposing 3’s or 4’s , and gives us 6 rebounds 5 assists and 9-10 points and average 30 minutes a game then by tourney time he may be ready to show more offense. But it was one game and he has a nice pull up floater from inside 10 feet that I think will become lethal because he can get into the lane at will.

 

[BGesus4]

Nonsense. Getting to the NBA should be priority 1, 2, and 3 for the top 60 - 70 guys playing COLLEGE basketball right now. Not 10 - 20 high school hotshots who have NOT proved they are what they were projected to be. Castle needs to improve in several facets in the game before he considers the NBA and that may take another year or two (much like Hawkins).

“Hotshots”

 

[TouchdownHusky]

It’s not going to be a good look if a projected top 10 pick comes back for another year the one chance we have with a one and done prospect. That’s the reality.

I’m not saying it will happen. I’m saying it’s something we should hope doesn’t happen. It will be a dock on our development pitch.

What? What would be a good look would be consistent Final Four appearances. And this goal would be greatly enhanced by annually putting a talented and EXPERIENCED team on the court. UConn is not Kentucky or Duke.

 

[Candyman]

Castle needs to be in the starting lineup from here on in. I said it in another thread. He's way to talented to continue to come off the bench. I don't think he's a come off the bench spark plug type player. He needs to be in the mix and get some nice reps and mistakes out early. He needs to get used to the pace and needs to get a feel for his teammates. Plus he's our best on defender not named Diarra.

 

[metsfan2323]

It isn’t going to be good for us perception wise if Castle has to come back a second year.

Nonsense. Nobody develops talent as well as our coaching staff. We have seen huge improvements from players going back to Vital, Polley, and Whaley. Even Tyrese Martin made the NBA. The only time Bouknight was any good was when he played for Hurley.

Did Hawkins becoming a lottery pick his second year reflect badly on our staff?

 

[husky429]

What? What would be a good look would be consistent Final Four appearances. And this goal would be greatly enhanced by annually putting a talented and EXPERIENCED team on the court. UConn is not Kentucky or Duke.

I don't usually point to a negative post:like ratio, but I'm just going to drop that and not engage. Have a splendid holiday.