March Madness: Freshman Stephon Castle looking like a top-10 pick in Final Four

Stephon Castle is the rare freshman starter in this year's March Madness Final Four. So far against Alabama, the UConn guard looks like a top-tier NBA Draft pick.

One thing that gets talked about a lot in the 2024 NBA Draft is the lack of top-tier prospects, both in college and overseas. There aren't the usually surefire freshman stars that are guaranteed to go in the top five, or many breakout stars. That does create opportunities for other players, such as Stephon Castle of the UConn Huskies.

Castle isn't some random player, as he was a five-star prospect in the 2023 recruiting class. On a UConn team that ended up being fairly loaded, there were questions as to how much of a role the freshman guard would have.

Turns out, a lot. He's been in the starting lineup for 28 of 32 games, averaging 10.7 ppg and 2.9 apg. The 6'6 playmaker has had three games of 20+ points, as well as 16 points and 11 rebounds in the Sweet 16 win over San Diego State. So far, he's been electric in the Final Four matchup against Alabama, scoring eight early points to lead the Huskies to a lead in the first half.

One advantage Castle has one other NBA Draft prospects is that he's been able to showcase his skills, as UConn continues to advance in the Big Dance. He has the traits and measureables that NBA scouts love and with his offense coming into form, he could end up being a surefire lottery pick.

The latest mock NBA Draft from ESPN has Castle projected to go 15th. And while that may end up happening, the freshman guard has the chance to make a major statement in the next couple of days, both leading UConn to another national title and himself to the top-10 of the draft in June.