San Antonio Spurs rookie Stephon Castle scored a team-high 10 points in the fourth period in a home loss to Utah on Saturday afternoon to keep the team within striking range.
He also had one of his best outings as a Spur with a season-high 23 points, but that did not stop interim head coach Mitch Johnson from reminding everyone that Castle has a long way to go in his pro career.
"Everywhere," said Johnson about Castle's development. "He's played 10 NBA games. He's had some highs and some lows, but he's a great kid."
His resume may have 10 NBA games, but the 19-year-old is impressive on the court. He's averaging 8.4 points per game, 2.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and just 1.0 turnovers.
In his last five outings, he posted an impressive 11.2 points per game, 2.8 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and just 0.4 turnovers.
“It is impressive. Quick learning: he rarely makes the same mistake twice," said Victor Wembanyama. "That is all you want from a new player in the league."
Castle showed the most significant lesson in his Spurs career during the game: Always look for Wembayama.
During Saturday afternoon's game against Utah, he connected with Wemby on an off-the-backboard pass that led to an easy dunk.
"He's somebody who's 7-4 running behind you. I feel like you'd throw it up, too," Castle joked.
Castle's poise and even-keel approach to the game is noticeable outside his stats. He never gets too high or too low in a game. He lets the game come to him and hardly gets rattled.
"His temperament is great," Johnson said. "He'll continue to pick up things as he gets a little more seasoning. He'll be fine."
Adding to his "seasoning" is how much the Spurs put him in close-game situations, such as the Jazz loss. That shows how much the coaching staff trusts him when the game is in crunch time.
"I'm definitely appreciative to be out there. That just shows the trust that the coaching staff has in me," he said. "I feel mainly defensively, but I feel the defense and all the moments are what's most important."
Castle has scored 4.5 points per fourth period, just 0.3 turnovers, and shot 43% from the field in the last four games.
That kind of play is a mark of his immense potential and what allows his teammates and coaches to continue to trust in him as the season moves forward.
Said Wembanyama: "His humility and the fact that he is willing to learn will take him very far.”