Bill Simmons Pitches Spurs' Stephon Castle for All-NBA Team

The Ringer host believes the young guard deserves recognition for San Antonio's surprise playoff run.

Apr. 6, 2026 at 6:51am

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Bill Simmons, host of The Ringer podcast, has made a surprising case for San Antonio Spurs guard Stephon Castle to earn a spot on the All-NBA Teams this season. Simmons believes Castle, the reigning Rookie of the Year, has elevated the Spurs into playoff contention and deserves recognition alongside stars like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jaylen Brown, and Victor Wembanyama.

Why it matters

The Spurs have not had an All-NBA player since LaMarcus Aldridge in 2018, and Castle's potential selection would mark a significant milestone for the franchise as they look to return to the postseason for the first time in six years.

The details

Castle, 21, has improved his numbers across the board in his sophomore season, averaging 16.7 points, 5.2 rebounds, 7.3 assists, and 1.1 steals per game. Simmons highlighted Castle's 43% 3-point shooting since the All-Star break as a key factor in his case for All-NBA recognition, calling him an 'awesome, awesome second guy' alongside Spurs rookie sensation Victor Wembanyama.

  • The NBA regular season is winding down, with the league's 65-game rule disqualifying several players from individual award consideration.
  • Simmons discussed Castle's All-NBA case on his podcast in early April 2026.

The players

Stephon Castle

A 21-year-old guard for the San Antonio Spurs, and the reigning NBA Rookie of the Year. He has helped lead the Spurs back to the playoffs after a six-year drought.

Bill Simmons

The host of The Ringer podcast, who has made a surprising case for Stephon Castle to earn a spot on the All-NBA Teams this season.

Victor Wembanyama

A rookie sensation and Stephon Castle's teammate on the San Antonio Spurs, forming arguably the best young duo in the NBA.

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What they’re saying

“I like Scottie Barnes, but I watched him today, and I just think Castle, eye-test-wise, plus I saw him in person, and Castle was one of the guys that really jumped out to me this year in person.”

— Bill Simmons, Podcast Host

“Especially since I think the last two months since the All-Star break, he's at like 43% from three. I just think he's turned into an awesome, awesome second guy.”

— Bill Simmons, Podcast Host

What’s next

The NBA will announce the All-NBA Teams in the coming weeks, and Stephon Castle's inclusion on one of the three teams will be closely watched as a potential milestone for the San Antonio Spurs franchise.

The takeaway

Stephon Castle's breakout sophomore season has caught the attention of influential voices like Bill Simmons, who believes the young Spurs guard deserves recognition alongside the league's elite players. Castle's potential All-NBA selection would be a significant achievement for both him and the Spurs as they look to return to the playoffs.