If you blinked during Stephon Castle’s rookie year, you probably missed half the drama. One minute, he was starting; the next, he was back on the bench. Gregg Popovich? Yeah, Castle only had the legendary coach for five games before he stepped away. And to top it all off, Victor Wembanyama missed a big chunk of the second half. That’s a lot for a 19-year-old to deal with, right?
But somehow, the Spurs rookie didn’t just survive—he made a name for himself.
Let’s be honest—this 2024 rookie class wasn’t exactly overflowing with can’t-miss superstars. There were no viral dunks every other night or box scores lighting up Twitter. But Stephon Castle? He just got it. The poise, the control, the way he made decisions under pressure—you could tell he belonged. And according to Victor Wembanyama, a big reason for that? The Spurs culture.
Fresh off officially being crowned the 2023-24 Rookie of the Year, Wemby took a moment to shine the spotlight on Castle, giving him and the franchise some serious flowers.
“I’m really proud of Stephon and what he’s done in his adaptation to the league,” Wemby said. “But I’m also proud of my teammates for giving him the chance to do that. Being good teammates, good friends, creating an environment—because it’s never one man’s job.”
Wemby knows firsthand what a supportive environment can do for a young player. He lived it. And now, watching Castle thrive in that same system? It’s full-circle stuff. A reminder that in San Antonio, it’s not just about developing players—it’s about building something bigger around them.
And while he hasn’t been able to contribute late in the season due to injury, he made it clear—he’s ready to get back and match that same energy. “I’m willing to do the dirty work, just as they do every night,” he added, before acknowledging how much the Rookie of the Year race still means to him: “You got one chance to win it. After that? It’s over. So yeah, it’s a big milestone.”.
That kind of growth, however, came with a bittersweet edge. Despite the flashes of promise, San Antonio closed the season ranked 13th in the West—nowhere near the play-in, let alone the playoffs. And that’s when Wemby’s tone turned reflective.
“I’ve seen some energy on that court and dedication that has grown throughout the season,” he admitted as evident in the video by Dusty Garza. “At some point, I even felt like, damn, I wish we played like that when I was there.”
Even though his absence down the stretch left a void, he watched his teammates hustle night after night. “These guys, they do the dirty work. They sacrifice 15 every single game,” he said, singling out Keldon Johnson and Blake Wesley. “We always think about the guys like KJ or Blake, who are just machines—give 100% all the time.”
Wemby made it clear—he’s not above that grind. “I’m willing to do the dirty work, just as they do every night,” he declared.
Victor Wembanyama says he draws inspiration from teammates like Blake Wesley and Keldon Johnson, who consistently bring energy and do the dirty work that goes unnoticed. He also credits the Spurs organization and their locker room culture for lifting up Stephon Castle the same… pic.twitter.com/5uzaAknZAj
— SpursRΞPORTΞR (@SpursReporter) April 14, 2025
As Wemby wrapped up his praise for Castle and the team’s grit, another piece of good news slid into the mix—an update on his own return. And interestingly, it came from his new backcourt partner, De’Aaron Fox.
“Glad I did the surgery when I did it,” Fox told ESPN’s Michael C. Wright. “Because Vic and I should be cleared around the same time.”
Now, if you’ve been keeping track, Fox had been dealing with a nagging pinkie injury since October. It started back in training camp with the Kings and just never quite let up. By mid-March, the pain and tendon damage were enough for the Spurs to make a call—shut him down for the season and get that finger fixed.
The timing? Strategic. San Antonio wasn’t fighting for playoff position, so the focus shifted to the bigger picture: get Fox right for the offseason. The surgery took place on March 18, and based on Fox’s own timeline, he’s expecting to be fully healed in three months. That sets his return for late June.
That’s also right around the time Victor Wembanyama is eyeing his comeback. So, barring any setbacks, both Fox and Wemby should hit the summer at full strength.
More importantly, they’ll have the time—not just to recover, but to build chemistry. As Fox has already claimed they’re going to be the best pick and roll combo next season. And that might be the most exciting part for Spurs fans looking ahead.
De’Aaron Fox already knows what him and Victor Wembanyama will be working on in the summer
For all the different ways San Antonio has run their offense over the years, one thing has never really gone out of style—the pick-and-roll. Back in the day, Tony Parker made a living slicing through defenses with it. Fast forward, and now the baton’s in De’Aaron Fox’s hands. And honestly? He’s built for it.
Fox didn’t mince words when talking about his offseason plans with Victor Wembanyama. While chatting on Silver & Black Coffee Hour, an Austin-based Spurs podcast featuring Tom Petrini, Zach Montana, and Aaron Blackerby, Fox made a bold declaration:
“We will be the best pick n roll combo in this league,” he said.
Feb 10, 2025; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (1) and guard De’Aaron Fox (4) react during the second quarter against the Washington Wizards at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Reggie Hildred-Imagn Images
Fox has the kind of speed that makes defenses panic. Give him a screen and a sliver of space, and he’s either pulling up, finishing at the rim, or kicking it out to someone wide open. It’s a nightmare to guard. Even though he and Wemby barely shared the floor this season—just 120 minutes—it was enough to spark some real intrigue.
Wemby’s versatility just adds to the chaos. The dude can run the pick-and-roll either as the guy setting the screen or handling the ball. That means defenses won’t know what hit them. One game, Fox could be the attacker. The next, Wemby might flip the script.
But let’s keep it real: none of this magic works if the supporting cast turns into a brick-laying crew. If defenders start sagging off because no one else can knock down an open three, it kills spacing, and the whole Wemby-Fox symphony starts sounding like static.
So this offseason? It’s hunt-for-shooters season. San Antonio needs to surround their two stars with guys who can stretch the floor and punish defenses for giving them space. Because once that happens? The Wemby-Fox show isn’t just intriguing—it’s must-see TV.
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