Stephon Castle has officially earned the title of Rookie of the Year, a prestigious accolade that he pursued with determination from his very first day in the league. The San Antonio Spurs now celebrate back-to-back winners, following Victor Wembanyama's victory last season. Castle's 1,190 points and 74 steals this season not only led all rookies but also solidified his place among the franchise's greats. With 92 first-place votes, his win was decisively unchallenged, far outpacing runner-up Zaccharie Risacher of the Atlanta Hawks.

Castle's performance has drawn praise from notable peers, including Chris Paul, who highlighted Castle's competitiveness as a key factor in his success. This season's voting revealed emerging talents like Risacher and Jaylen Wells vying for recognition, with Risacher winning Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month honors twice. The Spurs organization is now part of an elite group, having joined the ranks of franchises to claim consecutive Rookie of the Year honors, a feat not seen since the mid-1970s.