Spurs guard Stephon Castle is the 2024-25 Kia NBA Rookie of the Year. San Antonio is the first team with back-to-back winners since the Minnesota Timberwolves in 2014-15 (Andrew Wiggins) and 2015-16 (Karl-Anthony Towns).

Castle made 47 starts for the Spurs and shot 43 percent from the field, averaging 14.7 points, 4.1 assists and 3.7 boards per game.

One can only imagine what would have happened if Jared McCain remained healthy. Despite playing in just 23 games, the 76ers combination guard finished tied for seventh in the NBA’s rookie of the year voting that was released Tuesday.