Report: UConn G Stephon Castle declares for NBA draft

Field Level Media|published: Fri 19th April, 10:39 2024

Connecticut Huskies guard Stephon Castle (5) celebrates after a foul call during the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament Championship against the Purdue Boilermakers, Monday, April 8, 2024, at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz. credits: Grace Hollars/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK

UConn freshman Stephon Castle, who dazzled on the national stage in the Final Four of the NCAA Tournament, has thrown his name into the 2024 NBA Draft, he told ESPN on Friday.

Castle could wind up as a lottery pick. ESPN ranks the 6-foot-6 guard at No. 9 on its list of top 100 prospects for the June 26-27 draft.

He has hired an agent, meaning he won't be able to pull out of the draft and return to the national champion Huskies.

He joins teammates Donovan Clingan and Alex Karaban in declaring for the draft, though Karaban hasn't hired an agent and is keeping the door open to return to school. UConn's other starters — Cam Spencer and Tristen Newton — are out of eligibility.

An elite defender, Castle averaged 11.1 points, 4.7 rebounds and 2.9 assists in 34 games (30 starts). In the Final Four against Alabama and Purdue, he averaged 18.0 points, 5.0 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game.

—Field Level Media