Stephon Castle backs Dylan Harper for Rising Stars MVP

Some called him the “Slash Brothers”, Stephen Castle and Dylan Harper will also share the ball during the NBA Rising Stars Challenge on All-Star Weekend. And if Castle has his way, that may not be the only honor they share.

“I might, we’ll see. Maybe I’ll let Dipper get it this time,” the sophomore guard said, alluding to Harper when asked if he would be a second straight MVP in that event.

Last season, Castle led his Rising Stars team into All-Star Sunday competition in a revised format.

“I know Steph will go and try to keep the title that he has,” 2026 All-Star starter Victor Vembanyama said for his own San Antonio Spurs teammate. “It’s going to be a lot of fun.”

He was told the reigning Rookie of the Year admitted he might let his rookie teammate win MVP this time around, Wemby reacted with subtle humor.

“That would be nice. Is it? Okay, that’s nice. That’s nice.”

Dylan Harper excited for first All-Star Weekend as a player

It didn’t surprise Harper that he made the Rising Stars game. But not because confidence in your game. At least not at first.

“I thought every rookie made it. But obviously it’s a blessing just to be in that position, to be one of the few players, a couple of rookies that were able to get into the game, just all the hard work I think I put in this season,” Harper continued. “It’s a testament to me, but it’s a testament to how we won, so I think about just going out there and doing my best.”

From the 2026 Rising Stars Draft The Spurs are in second place in the Western Conference standings.

“My rookie season, I wouldn’t trade it for any other rookie season. The group of players I get to play with, the organization I’m in, everything else is going well,” said the second overall pick in last summer’s draft.

“We’re winning, that plays a big part in that as well and it’s definitely a plus. But I think we all take a step back sometimes, whether it’s me, whether it’s Steph, whether it’s David,” Harper added, alluding to David Jones-Garcia, who spent a good portion of the season with the Austin Spurs.

“We can all go out to eat together and talk about it,” the former Rutgers star continued. “I think the level of gratitude that we all have is up there.

It’s a sentiment Castle agreed with.

“It’s going to be fun. I think we’re blessed to be invited, especially at this point in our careers. And then there’s a couple of former teammates coming, so it should be a good weekend.”

Stephon Castle is still feeling the effects of the first All-Star weekend

“It was my first one, so I was just trying to be there for the experience. I thought it was cool that I was able to play all three days,” Castle said of the weekend that helped pave the way for his ROI Award.

A second consecutive trip to February’s festivities should mark Castle’s final appearance in the Rising Stars Challenge, but not for All-Star weekend.

“I feel like it definitely helped me because I feel like whether you’re a basketball fan or not, a lot of people tune into All-Star weekend.” the fourth overall pick in 2024 said of the rise in notoriety of his game.

“So, I feel like my popularity probably increased a little bit after participating in those events,” the former UConn star concluded.

Castle and Harper will play for Team Melo competing with three other teams made up of ‘freshmen’, ‘sophomores’ and G-League stars in tournament style on February 13th in Los Angeles, California.