Spurs rookie Stephon Castle 'excited' to team with Victor Wembanyama - ESPN

SAN ANTONIO — Moments after Stephon Castle became a member of the San Antonio Spurs on draft night, he received a video call from the reigning rookie of the year, Victor Wembanyama.

After the two exchanged greetings, Wembanyama introduced himself and said, «It's Victor.» Castle, the No. 4 pick in the draft, chuckled and told him he knows exactly who he is.

While chasing a national championship last season with UConn, Castle said he remembers watching Wembanyama's rookie season and letting his thoughts wander.

«Just the thought of playing with him, of course it circulates in your mind, but it really doesn't feel real until it becomes reality,» Castle said Saturday morning at his introductory news conference. «So I mean, just to know that that's going to be my future teammate now, I'm just really excited for what our future looks like.»

Castle left UConn after his freshman season when he helped the Huskies to a national championship. Along the way, he had a chance to play with Donovan Clingan, a 7-foot-3 center who went No. 7 in the draft to the Portland Trail Blazers.

Now, he'll have a chance to throw lobs to an even bigger target.

«It was fun throwing lobs to DC,» Castle said, «so I can only imagine what [throwing them to Wembanyama] will be like.»

Castle also compared how the two big men change shots at the rim and how it allows him to be more aggressive as a defender. He said it was great playing with Clingan but having «probably the best shot-blocker in the league» now is also something that intrigues him.

During the pre-draft process, Castle said he wanted to go to a team that would let him play point guard. Castle, who measured in at 6-foot-5½ without shoes at the combine, said that remains his desire, but he