Castle learned the slow step after tutelage from Mike Noyes, the Spurs assistant who is the team’s player development coach. Noyes, like Castle, was a former UConn guard and joined the Spurs in July after spending six years with the Memphis Grizzlies, most recently as player development director.

The San Antonio Spurs have a proud tradition of elite guards. From Tony Parker to Avery Johnson, their legacy is one of smart, dynamic playmakers who step up when it matters most. Now, Stephon Castle is looking like the next name to carry that torch.