UConn commit Castle makes cut for USA U18's
Jun. 1—Stephon Castle, a guard from Covington, Georgia who has committed to play at UConn, was named Tuesday as one of the 13 finalists for USA Basketball's U18 National Team.
The 12-member roster for the team, which will compete at the 2022 FIBA U18 Americas Championship in Tijuana, Mexico, from June 6-12, will be announced this week.
Among the other finalists for the Americans' U18 team are Villanova commits Mark Armstrong of South Orange, New Jersey, and Cam Whitmore of Odenton, Maryland.
The 6-foot-6, 200-pound Castle announced his commitment to join UConn in November.
The No. 4 shooting guard in the Class of 2023, Castle chose the Huskies over the likes of Arkansas, Georgia, Georgia Tech, and Auburn.
Uniform numbers
The UConn newcomers have decided on their uniform numbers for the upcoming season.
Tristen Newton will wear uniform No. 1, Nahiem Alleyne No. 4, Hassan Diarra No. 5, Alex Karaban No. 11, and Donovan Clingan No. 32 according to school officials.
The returning Huskies will wear the same numbers they did last season.
National honor
Clingan was named Tuesday as one of 24 nominees for USA Today's national basketball player of the year. The winner will be revealed July 31.
Clingan, a 7-foot-1 star from Bristol Central High School, is a two-time Gatorade Connecticut player of the year.
Neill covers UConn men's basketball and UConn football teams, and he keeps a finger on the pulse of Connecticut sports. For live game updates, and more insight into UConn athletics, player transfers, and team changes, follow Neill on Twitter: @NeillOstrout, Facebook: JINeillO, and Instagram: @NeillOstrout.
