Stephon Castle, the former UConn men's basketball star, will start in the NBA Finals with the San Antonio Spurs, facing the New York Knicks.
## What happened?
The Spurs' remarkable rebuild features Castle as a versatile, big-bodied guard and primary playmaker.
He's a highly effective scorer and lockdown defender, sparking the team's success.
## Why it matters for Stephon Castle
Castle's playoff run places him in an exclusive tier of recent Huskies alums, becoming the only player to have starred for UConn this century to appear in an NBA Finals game.
He averages 19.2 points per game, leading the Spurs in assists and delivering an admirable defensive performance.
## What comes next?
The NBA Finals are set to begin Wednesday at 8:30 p.m. ET on ESPN, with the Spurs facing the Knicks at Madison Square Garden.
Castle is joined in the Spurs' starting lineup by Julien Champagnie, a 21-point-per-game scorer with consecutive First-Team All-Big East selections.
The Knicks' Big East representation stems from Jay Wright's legendary Villanova squads of the 2010s, including Josh Hart, Jalen Brunson, and Mikal Bridges.
Castle's performance has been excellent this postseason, limiting Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander throughout the Western Conference Finals.
The Spurs' starting lineup features a mix of experienced players and young talent, with Castle at the forefront.
He has helped the team reach the NBA Finals, a significant achievement for the franchise.
The series is expected to be closely contested, with both teams featuring talented players and strong team chemistry.
Castle's ability to score and defend will be crucial for the Spurs' success in the series.
The NBA Finals will be a thrilling conclusion to the season, with the Spurs and Knicks facing off in a battle for the championship.