SAN ANTONIO — After swapping jerseys, former San Antonio Spurs guard Dejounte Murray encouraged rookie Stephon Castle following the recent matchup against the Pelicans.
"You're going to be great dawg. Never stop working and being a great person," Murray shared on social media.
It's no surprise Castle is getting noticed among his peers during his rookie campaign.
He's averaging 12.1 points per game, including 2.6 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 39% field goal shooting. In his last three games, he posted 16.3 points per game, including 3.3 rebounds, 5.0 assists, and 39% field goal shooting.
"I feel like it just comes from my versatility defensively. I feel like that kind of set it off," said Castle about his confidence on the court. "And then, just with the playmaking stuff that I can do. I set screens and do whatever I can do on the court to help us win. I feel like that’s where most of the confidence comes from."
This season, Castle has tied his career-high in points (23) twice, is ranked in the 98th percentile among NBA guards in shooting fouls percentage at 13.8%, has recorded at least one steal in four straight games, and has scored in double figures in 15 of his last 16 outings.
MURRAY PRAISES COACH MITCH JOHNSON
In case you didn't know, interim head coach Mitch Johnson and Murray go back to their days in Seattle.
According to Murray, Johnson was instrumental in keeping him on the right path in life and helping him mature on and off the court when he was younger.
To celebrate Johnson's move to interim coach and thank him for what he'd done for him, the ex-Spur shared an old photo of the pair in their younger days with a touching message for him.
"This (expletive) deeper than basketball. I'm forever in debt for you giving me hope to do the right things," shared Murray on social media.
"A star in the making. Worked for this MJ!"