CASTROL RISING STARS POSTGAME

February 13, 2026

Stephon Castle

Team Melo

Press Conference

Team Vince 25, Team Melo 24

Q. Now you have your second experience, your second Rising Stars. What are you going to take back from these experiences to what your play is going to be? You still have like competition coming up in the half end of the season.

STEPHON CASTLE: Yeah, I'm just shifting my mindset back to the season. Obviously being here is fun. Yeah, blessed to be here and to bond with guys like my peers, similar to my class or the younger guys. So to be able to be teammates with them and get to know them more is a cool experience too.

Q. What are you going to take back for the season that's coming up?

STEPHON CASTLE: I mean, just try and keep the same momentum that we had coming into All-Star break. I don't think it was anything from Rising Stars that I would take into my season.

I mean, we're having a great season. So just keep doing the things we've been doing and try to stay healthy.

Q. You're the defending reigning MVP. Dylan [Harper was expected to be here, Carter [Bryant] a late add. He played well too. The three, the trifecta for the Spurs, what did you guys show tonight?

STEPHON CASTLE: Obviously great young talent, and obviously a bright future for all three of us. I was happy to share the court together. Me and Dylan played against Carter for the first time too.

Q. Wanted to ask you about a game two months ago when you visited the Lakers for the Cup. LeBron gave you a jersey and you had a moment after the game. When you hear something from him or from any vet that they have confidence in you, what does that mean?

STEPHON CASTLE: That meant a lot. Obviously LeBron, I looked up to him, watching when I was younger. To hear that from him meant a lot. I think my confidence is always at a high, but to hear him say that boosted it a little bit more.

Q. Now you've had a big All-Star Weekend. How does it make you feel about where you could be three years from now, four years, five years?

STEPHON CASTLE: It feels great. I feel like I'm at a good point in my early young career. I have a lot of room to grow. So I'm excited about that. I'm excited to see what kind of player I could turn out to be.

Q. Did you ever set any goals like, I want to be an All-Star by year whatever?

STEPHON CASTLE: I don't really try to put a cap on it. I don't come into the league and say I'm going to be All-Star by year five if I could do it by year three, year two. I try to go out there and play with the same aggressiveness and confidence and let my game speak for itself.