Former Newton High star Stephon Castle and former Wheeler High star Isaiah Collier both heard their names called during the first round, which aired Wednesday night on Channel 2.
The San Antonio Spurs chose Castle, who won a national championship at Connecticut, with the No. 4 overall pick. The Utah Jazz picked Collier, who played at Southern California, at No. 29 overall.
Castle grew up in Covington and led the Newton Rams to the state quarterfinals during his senior year. He had multiple offers as a 5-star recruit before he committed to Connecticut.
In his one season with the Huskies, Castle started 30 out of 34 games and averaged 11.1 points per game and 4.7 rebounds per game. He finished with 15 points and five rebounds in UConn’s championship win over Purdue.
Castle said he looks forward to the opportunity to grow in his career under Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich.
“I was just playing for the best coach in college basketball and now flipping to the NBA and going to play for a legendary coach like Coach Pop, it’s a blessing,” Castle said after he was drafted.
Newton High basketball coach Barry Browner thanked Castle for representing the Rams way.
“We are so excited for Stephon and his family. What he has done for our community, for Newton High School and our basketball program is amazing. He’s been an exceptional representative for Newton High School basketball. It’s been his lifelong dream to play in the NBA and he worked incredibly hard in high school and college to make that dream a reality. Last night that dream came true, and we are so proud of him. We wish him the very best as he embarks on his professional career with the San Antonio Spurs and remind him that he will always have a home at 1 Ram Way,” Browner told Channel 2.
Collier grew up in Marietta and attended Wheeler High School, where NBA Finals MVP Jaylen Brown also attended.
The point guard led the Wildcats to three state championships. In 2023, Collier was named the Naismith Boys High School Player of the Year, Gatorade Georgia Player of the Year and MaxPreps Player of the Year. He committed as a 5-star recruit to USC.
Collier dedicated his final season at Wheeler in memory of his cousin and teammate Khalil Hardison, who died in a tragic drowning in 2022.
Wheeler basketball coach Larry Thompson, who is Khalil’s father and Isaiah’s uncle, told Channel 2 Action News that he is proud of his nephew making his dreams come true.
“All that he’s been through over the past few years, being able to hear his name called last night just puts a cap on his time at Wheeler. He is such a humble kid and I know Utah will see the best version of him real soon,” Thompson said.
The 2024-25 NBA schedules have not been released, but fans can expect to see Castle with the Spurs and Collier with the Jazz back in Atlanta soon.
NBA Draft Basketball Zaccharie Risacher walks the red carpet before the NBA basketball draft, Wednesday, June 26, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Julia Nikhinson) (Julia Nikhinson/AP)
NBA Draft Basketball Zaccharie Risacher waits for the start of the NBA basketball draft, Wednesday, June 26, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Julia Nikhinson) (Julia Nikhinson/AP)
NBA Draft Basketball Zaccharie Risacher walks the red carpet before the NBA basketball draft, Wednesday, June 26, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Julia Nikhinson) (Julia Nikhinson/AP)
Paris Basket v Bourg en Bresse Basket - Betclic Elite PARIS, FRANCE - APRIL 28: Zaccharie Risacher of Bourg en Bresse Basket runs with the ball during the Betclic Elite match between Paris and Bourg en Bresse Basket at Adidas Arena on April 28, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Aurelien Meunier/Getty Images) (Aurelien Meunier/Getty Images)
NBA Draft Basketball Zaccharie Risacher, right, poses for a photo with NBA commissioner Adam Silver after being selected as the first overall pick by the Atlanta Hawks in the first round of the NBA basketball draft, Wednesday, June 26, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Julia Nikhinson) (Julia Nikhinson/AP)
NBA Draft Basketball Zaccharie Risacher, right, greets NBA commissioner Adam Silver after being selected as the first overall pick by the Atlanta Hawks in the first round of the NBA basketball draft, Wednesday, June 26, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Julia Nikhinson) (Julia Nikhinson/AP)
NBA Draft Basketball Zaccharie Risacher reacts during an interview after being selected by the Atlanta Hawks as the first pick during the first round in the NBA basketball draft, Wednesday, June 26, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Julia Nikhinson) (Julia Nikhinson/AP)
NBA Draft Basketball Zaccharie Risacher reacts during an interview after being selected by the Atlanta Hawks as the first pick during the first round in the NBA basketball draft, Wednesday, June 26, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Julia Nikhinson) (Julia Nikhinson/AP)
NBA Draft Basketball Zaccharie Risacher, walks across the stage after being selected as the first overall pick by the Atlanta Hawks in the first round of the NBA basketball draft, Wednesday, June 26, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Julia Nikhinson) (Julia Nikhinson/AP)
NBA Draft Basketball Zaccharie Risacher reacts during an interview after being selected by the Atlanta Hawks as the first pick during the first round in the NBA basketball draft, Wednesday, June 26, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Julia Nikhinson) (Julia Nikhinson/AP)
NBA-DRAFT El francés Zaccharie Risacher camina en el escenario tras ser reclutado por los Hawks de Atlanta como la primera selección del draft, el miércoles 26 de junio de 2024 en Nueva York (AP Foto/Julia Nikhinson) (Julia Nikhinson/AP)
NBA Draft Basketball Stephon Castle reacts after being selected by the San Antonio Spurs as the fourth pick in the first round of the NBA basketball draft, Wednesday, June 26, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Julia Nikhinson) (Julia Nikhinson/AP)
NBA Draft Basketball Stephon Castle poses for a photo on the red carpet before the NBA basketball draft, Wednesday, June 26, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Julia Nikhinson) (Julia Nikhinson/AP)
2024 NBA Draft - Round One NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 26: Isaiah Collier celebrates after being drafted 29th overall by the Utah Jazz during the first round of the 2024 NBA Draft at Barclays Center on June 26, 2024 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) (Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
2024 NBA Draft - Round One NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 26: Isaiah Collier celebrates after being drafted 29th overall by the Utah Jazz during the first round of the 2024 NBA Draft at Barclays Center on June 26, 2024 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) (Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
2024 NBA Draft - Round One NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 26: Isaiah Collier (R) shakes hands with NBA commissioner Adam Silver (L) after being drafted 29th overall by the Utah Jazz during the first round of the 2024 NBA Draft at Barclays Center on June 26, 2024 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) (Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
2024 NBA Draft - Round One NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 26: Stephon Castle (R) shakes hands with NBA commissioner Adam Silver (L) after being drafted fourth overall by the San Antonio Spurs during the first round of the 2024 NBA Draft at Barclays Center on June 26, 2024 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) (Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
2024 NBA Draft - Round One NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 26: Stephon Castle reacts after being drafted fourth overall by the San Antonio Spurs during the first round of the 2024 NBA Draft at Barclays Center on June 26, 2024 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) (Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
2024 NBA Draft - Round One NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 26: Stephon Castle celebrates after being drafted fourth overall by the San Antonio Spurs during the first round of the 2024 NBA Draft at Barclays Center on June 26, 2024 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) (Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
2024 NBA Draft - Round One NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 26: Stephon Castle celebrates after being drafted fourth overall by the San Antonio Spurs during the first round of the 2024 NBA Draft at Barclays Center on June 26, 2024 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) (Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
2024 NBA Draft - Round One NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 26: Stephon Castle celebrates after being drafted fourth overall by the San Antonio Spurs during the first round of the 2024 NBA Draft at Barclays Center on June 26, 2024 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) (Sarah Stier/Getty Images)