UConn Star Freshman Stephon Castle to Enter 2024 NBA Draft

The freshman played a key role in UConn's second straight national title run.

Apr 8, 2024; Glendale, AZ, USA; Connecticut Huskies guard Stephon Castle (5) reacts after shooting / Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

After playing an crucial role in UConn's second straight national title run, Huskies freshman guard Stephon Castle will forgo his remaining eligibility and enter the 2024 NBA draft, he told ESPN on Friday.

Castle, standing at 6'6", 215 lbs., was named the Big East Freshman of the Year and ended up a member of the All-Freshman team in the conference. In 34 games for the Huskies this season, he averaged 11.1 points, 4.7 rebounds and 2.9 assists on 47.2% shooting, while providing outstanding backcourt defense.

Castle is expected to be a lottery pick in June due to his NBA-ready frame and his ceiling as a player. Thanks to continued development throughout conference play, and his importance to UConn's Big East title and national title runs, he has been flying up NBA draft boards.

There is still plenty for Castle to improve upon, including his three-point shooting, where he only converted 26.7% of his attempts this season. But his improvement as a shooter from the floor as the season wore on bodes well to his potential development at the next level.

Castle joins Donovan Clingan, Alex Karaban and Tristan Newton as key members of the starting lineup that UConn will have to replace next season. Karaban entered the draft while maintaining his college eligibility, so there's an outside chance that he returns, but Clingan, Newton and Castle appear to all be gone for good.