Stephon Castle: If you can play for Dan Hurley, you can play for anyone

Stephon Castle, the No. 4 pick in the NBA Draft, has a unique distinction on his resume that few former collegiate players can claim: he never lost a game in the NCAA tournament.

Coming out of high school, he was a five-star recruit and considered one of the best players. Coach Dan Hurley recruited him, and Castle propelled UConn to win back-to-back titles. Now playing with one of the transcendent talents in Victor Wembanyama and future Hall of Famer Chris Paul, Castle seems to have landed in a good spot with San Antonio.

During a break at Summer League, Castle took part in the Call of Duty Two-Minute drill and went up against other rookies and NBA players. On behalf of Call of Duty, Castle sat down with HoopsHype in Las Vegas to talk about Gregg Popovich, Dan Hurley, his mentality, what to expect at the next level, and more.

What was the biggest thing that coach Dan Hurley taught you in college?

Stephon Castle: Our offense is pretty complex. I felt like it kind of prepared me for the next level. My role was off the ball a lot, so I got to learn when to cut, when not to cut. Just playing off the ball. I learned how to set better screens for teammates, just stuff that will help my game all around.

Did Hurley tell you at certain points about specific things you needed to take away to thrive at the next level or did this all come naturally to you?

SC: I feel like that just comes pretty naturally [to me]. I feel like most of what he taught us kind of translates to the next level. He didn’t really have to single anything out that will translate. I feel like it was pretty natural for me. Just being able to play in his system. I feel like if you can play for him, you can play for any kind of system.

You’re coming off a national championship, and you were a winner as you came up in high school. At the NBA level, you’re not going to win 95percent of your games. How are you mentally prepared for that?

SC: I’m pretty prepared for it. I know that’s the reality. Coming off a national championship season and a great season like that, I knew that coming into an 82-game season with the best players in the world that wasn’t going to be the case, so that’s something I’m prepared for, but I’m still going to try to win as many games as I can.

What do you expect going into your rookie season being coached by a legendary coach like Gregg Popovich? Have you given much thought about that or have you talked to him about anything in particular?

SC: Most of our conversations have been kind of more just based towards Summer League. We haven’t really talked too much going into the season. It’s still a little bit ways away, but I think I’m going to be able to pick up a lot from Coach Pop. He’s a legendary coach, Hall of Fame coach, so just to have him as my coach and in my rookie year, I feel like that’s going to be pretty essential for my future.

Have you gotten a chance to talk to Chris Paul yet? How excited are you to be playing with a player of his caliber?

SC: Yeah, I’ve talked to CP a little bit. Yeah, for sure. Just having him for this year I’m trying to get as much as I can out of him. I felt like he’s one of the best point guards that’s ever played in the NBA. So to play alongside him is gonna be super fun. I know I’m going to be able to learn a lot. So yeah, super excited.

Did the thought of CP3 helping mold Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to get to that next level in that lone year they spent together in OKC enter your mind?

SC: Yeah, it definitely came to the back of my mind. I don’t think Shai was a rookie, but he was still pretty young in the league. So to have CP as his mentor, I feel like that kind of set him off in the right direction, and you see what he’s doing in the NBA now. That’s what he can do for guys. You know his vision, his IQ, and just his ability to teach guys like that, I feel like that’s gonna help me a lot.

As you were playing, was there a specific moment that you realized there was a real path to becoming a legitimate NBA prospect?

SC: I feel like sometime around 10th grade where it kinda hit me, like I probably have a chance at doing this. But I mean, it’s so hard to make it to the NBA, let alone get drafted, so you don’t really want to put all your eggs in a basket.

I wouldn’t say it was a particular moment, I feel like just that whole season in general. I feel like from my 9th grade to 10th grade season, I took a big leap. My role changed and they put the ball in my hands a lot and I was playing well, I was feeling comfortable, so that’s when I tried to kick it up a notch with my seriousness and my approach to the game. So I feel that’s when things started to shift for me.

What is the biggest thing you think you need to improve on?

SC: Probably right now, I would say my shot creation, shot making, probably my off-ball defense. I’d say my on-ball defense is pretty solid. I feel like I just want to improve more off the ball.

You’ve played a handful of Summer League basketball. In terms of physicality, is it what you expected or did you expect more?

SC: I expected more going into the actual season. I know these aren’t the actual NBA rosters, but you can definitely sense the difference in physicality between college and here. I feel like just the amount of reps I got already, I’m starting to get pretty adjusted to it.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve gotten so far from NBA players or anyone in your life?

SC: Best piece of advice that I got was just to play with confidence. I feel like confidence can shake a lot. If you’re going into a game and you’re not confident, you won’t play to the best of your ability. So really just going out there and playing free, playing confident, and really just believing in my work.

When you’re out on the court, do you feel like you know when your opponent’s confidence is shot and you feel you can take advantage of that?

SC: I wouldn’t say that from a down game, but I can definitely sense when somebody’s confidence is shaken. I wouldn’t say that I’ll attack them separately, or go at them separately, but I feel like I approach every opponent the same way. But I can definitely sense when someone’s confidence is out of it.

Are you the best player in this draft? Why do you think so?

SC: Yeah, I just believe in myself. I know how much work I put in, I know what my abilities are. And like I said earlier, I have the ultimate confidence in myself.

What players or teams did you watch on YouTube when you were younger?

SC: When I was younger, my favorite duo was probably KD and Russ[ell Westbrook]. With James [Harden], and they had the team with Serge Ibaka, Kendrick Perkins.

Who’s your GOAT?

SC: LeBron. It’s definitely close [Michael Jordan] but I feel like just with everything going into it. His durability, the way he can take care of his body. Just his IQ for the game. I feel like he can do just about everything on the court. I wouldn’t say it’s not a debate, but I’d say it’s close.

Can you touch a bit about your partnership with Call of Duty?

SC: I feel like just the partnership I’ve had with Call of Duty has been pretty tight. I went to the event that they had out in Cali with Infinity War. I got to view their facility there. So being here, I was able to do the two-minute drill thing.

It was pretty difficult, I’m not gonna lie. I think the highest score was like 77. I got like 40 or something like that, so it was pretty hard.