2024 NBA Mock Draft: Timberwolves grab seasoned prospect, Wizards reach for center

6. Charlotte Hornets - Stephon Castle, UConn

A player this writer is very fond of, UConn's Stephon Castle is sure to be a polarizing prospect. He played as essentially the fifth fiddle on a championship squad. Castle averaged 27.0 minutes per game, but he just attempted 8.5 field goals.

Standing 6-foot-6 with a strong, athletic build, Castle is a prototypical off-guard prospect. Although he has the size to line up at the two, he possesses the requisite playmaking chops to run point. Castle's size allows for him to make nearly every pass. Plus, the former Husky is a quick processor who generally makes the right read.

Castle's biggest swing skill is his shooting. The UConn product shot just 26.7 percent from beyond the arc. He still impacted his team's offense without quality spot-up shooting; but if he ever adds a reliable, confident 3-point stroke—watch out.

Part of the excitement revolving around Castle is his defense. He's such a fluid athlete who gracefully moves up and down the floor. He's energetic when defending the ball and hyper-aware away from it. At 6-foot-6, it isn't a stretch to ask Castle to defend up to four positions.

The athletic guard's fit in Charlotte is ideal. He'd slide right in between LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller. Additionally, he'd be capable of handling point guard duties without Ball on the floor—a common theme throughout his career.