2023 Recruiting: Stephon Castle

[MDHuskFan]

Dude is following quite a few unofficial UConn-related Twitter accounts and almost none from any other school. Could be nothing but can’t be a bad sign.

Easier to watch all the meltdowns when he commits somewhere else

 

[ucawn]

Who is the last recruit we Zeroed in on and didn’t close? Imma start calling Hurley Mariano. He doesn’t miss on a chance to close

Probably Justice Williams

 

[HuskyHawk]

I think a lot of coaches would love to start a season with the players on that team.

Of course. But it was so out of its time. It was built for this era.

 

[kansashusky]

I am sure there will be some crystal balls dropping soon.

 

[HooperScooper]

How does this stuff normally work with recruiting - does the recruit usually tell the coaching staff they're committing ahead of time (or they're committing elsewhere) or do the coaches find out at the actual announcement?

Maybe he hasn't made up his mind yet, but if he had, would he already be telling different staffs that hes either coming or not?

I think a staff usually knows where they stand with a recruit close to the announcement without the recruiting specifically saying he's committing to them. Is he returning your phone calls right away? Is he responding to your texts? Is he asking the right questions and generally seems interested in what you're telling him? It's like dating. You know when a girl really likes you. I guess there's always the chance he is still very interested in more than 1 school but if he's announcing on Friday I'm sure he knows where he's going. And of course plenty of coaching staffs have been blindsided with an announcement when they thought they were going to get a recruit but didn't.

 

[superjohn]

If not a 5-star he will be pretty damn close. Rivals and 247 both have him in that 25-30ish range which is right on the borderline. I remember someone else pointed out that the only reason his composite is so low is because he isn’t in ESPNs rankings yet (or is lower on ESPN still, I can’t remember).

Yes, ESPN hasn't evaluated him. He's right around a 5 star with rivals #25 and 247 #27 and will probably end up a 5 star.

 

[UConNick]

It’s my understanding that most kids won’t set a firm announcement date until they know who they’re going to pick. Therefore, I’d think it’s pretty likely he and his family already have it made up, his high school coaches probably know, perhaps even all the staffs who were recruiting him. But I’d think by the time of his public announcement, every pertinent staff should know one way or the other. And if you don’t? Then it’s probably not you.

Really really hoping we get him! Perfect player for Hurley’s system, and I think he, GG, and Bowen would all be able to coexist as 2-4s.

 

[seeya27]

Dude is following quite a few unofficial UConn-related Twitter accounts and almost none from any other school. Could be nothing but can’t be a bad sign.

He is following my @SSN_UConn Twitter account, FWIIW. Other members of his family, as well.

 

[uchusky32]

No grain of salt or fluid warnings?

?

 

[Umami Zen]

Unlike any recent recruit's OV pictures/social media posts while on the visit. I found the Castle family's posts to be very encouraging. Almost seemed staged where SC was seeing himself being in Storrs.

Haven't seen that kind of intention before from an OV other than posing in a uniform.

Turnaround time from the OV to decision is positive.

 

[CTBballfan243]

This is so Connecticut.....

I’m just glad someone got the reference!!!

 

[seeya27]

There's always a ton of things we don't know (inner workings, unknown relationships between coaches, a desire to stay close to home), but here is what we do know publicly:

1. Kamani has had a long relationship with the father (back to AAU days) and was considered a family friend
2. Stephon took an early liking to Auburn, based on the crystal balls for Auburn several months ago.
3. For whatever reason, Stephon stopped the process and chose to take additional OVs, UConn being one of them.
4. He may have taken some unofficial visits as well.
5. His visit to UConn, based on all outward signs, seemed to be very positive. Notably, the family posts appeared to be authentically emotional and genuine.
6. NYC is a second family hub.
7. UConn was the last OV.
8. His decision date is soon after his UConn visit.

I think the decision is between the local team (Georgia) and UConn -- although I am sure Auburn has put on a full-court press since the day Stephon returned to GA. If staying close to home doesn't matter, the choice is easy.

But hell -- on the women's side I was certain Kiki Rice was going to Duke or Stanford. She ended up choosing UCLA. Never saw it coming...

 

[Matrim55]

None of my guys have heard for sure but all three of them think we're getting him, which means the staff thinks we're getting him. But no silent verbal yet.

That said I don't think I'm as plugged in on this one as a few other boneyarders seem to be.

 

[Umami Zen]

None of my guys have heard for sure but all three of them think we're getting him, which means the staff thinks we're getting him. But no silent verbal yet.

That said I don't think I'm as plugged in on this one as a few other boneyarders seem to be.

You da man. I think we get him. Universe is smiling on Storrs

 

[Husky Alien]

None of my guys have heard for sure but all three of them think we're getting him, which means the staff thinks we're getting him. But no silent verbal yet.

That said I don't think I'm as plugged in on this one as a few other boneyarders seem to be.

 

[444JR]

2023 recruiting class targets ranked by 247 2023 Top Basketball Recruits

21.) Taylor Bowen 6’9 - SF
24.) Aaron Bradshaw 7’0 - C
26.) Jeremy Fears 6’1 - PG
27.) Stephon Castle 6’6 - CG
42.) Isaiah Miranda 7’0 - C
61.) Gavin Griffiths 6’7 - SF

3-4 of these players would be an incredible class. Stephon would be a absolute jewel of a first domino to fall this Friday.

 

[kcc1442]

Gave me some Jimmy Butler vibes watching a brief tape. Let's get em.

 

[Stinger92860]

Universe is smiling on Storrs

While true, you reap what you sow. DH has built an excellent staff and they work their butts off. Another ship is in our future!

 

[ucp990411]

Yes, ESPN hasn't evaluated him. He's right around a 5 star with rivals #25 and 247 #27 and will probably end up a 5 star.

If becomes a Husky he will drop to around 40

 

[husky99]

Heavy weight fight between Georgia and uconn. Still hearing uconn.

 

[cap10dingus]

This is a negative Nancy comment but everyone thought he was going to Auburn, then he visited us and now everything thinks it's UConn. Be great to hear him choose the Huskies on NTv but those are the only two schools he's visited right? At least according to 24/7. When can he sign on the dotted line!

 

[CTFAN4LIFE]

This is a negative Nancy comment but everyone thought he was going to Auburn, then he visited us and now everything thinks it's UConn. Be great to hear him choose the Huskies on NTv but those are the only two schools he's visited right? At least according to 24/7. When can he sign on the dotted line!

Pretty sure he's visited at least the GA schools unofficially.

 

[NowInStorrs]

Pretty sure he's visited at least the GA schools unofficially.

Most likely.
He talks about an unofficial visit to Georgia Tech here: 2023 Top 25 prospect Stephon Castle sets commitment date and time

 

[CTFAN4LIFE]

Here's one timeline (not sure if 100% accurate):

Stephon Castle Timeline Events

247sports.com

 

[Pgh2Storrs]

If it’s us and UGA, you’d have to feel much better being in our shoes given the trajectory of UGA basketball at the moment (yes, doomed, I know). They’re in bad shape at the moment and, based on his comments about coaching being an important part of the decision, UGA would seem a risky bet as Crean is almost certainly running out of runway down there.