Spurs’ Stephon Castle credits Chris Paul for serving as his coach on the court

Stephon Castle offered some credit to a former Spurs teammate who just retired.

More specifically, the second-year guard said playing alongside Chris Paul helped him avoid a sophomore slump after winning Rookie of the Year in 2024-25.

“What he showed me last year, I feel like it helped me this year,” Stephon Castle said, via Tom Orsborn of the San Antonio Express-News. “He was a coach on the floor for us at all times, especially for me.”

Paul, who was waived by the Raptors on Friday, officially announced his retirement shortly thereafter, closing the book on a Hall of Fame career built on control, detail, and competitiveness.

For Castle, that influence stuck. The lessons weren’t about highlights or usage. They were about pace, positioning, and understanding the game one possession ahead.

Paul may be done playing. His imprint on young guards like Castle will linger much longer.