Colin Castleton Explained

Colin Castleton
Position:Center
Height Ft:6
Height In:10
Weight Lb:250
League:NBA
Team:Memphis Grizzlies
Number:8
Birth Date:25 May 2000
Birth Place:Pembroke Pines, Florida, U.S.
High School:Father Lopez Catholic
(Daytona Beach, Florida)
College:
Draft Year:2023
Career Start:2023
Team1:Los Angeles Lakers
Years2:2023–2024
Team2:South Bay Lakers
Years3:–present
Team3:Memphis Grizzlies
Years4:2024–present
Team4:Memphis Hustle
Highlights:

Colin Reed Castleton (born May 25, 2000) is an American professional basketball player for the Memphis Grizzlies of the National Basketball Association (NBA), on a two-way contract with the Memphis Hustle of the NBA G League. He played college basketball for the Michigan Wolverines and the Florida Gators.

Early life

Castleton grew up in DeLand, Florida and attended Father Lopez Catholic High School in Daytona Beach, Florida. As a senior, he averaged 24.5 points, 11.7 rebounds and 5.6 blocks per game and was named a finalist for Florida's Mr. Basketball Award and the Class 7A Player of the Year.[1] Castleton was rated as a four-star recruit and committed to playing college basketball for Michigan over Illinois after also considering offers from Clemson, Georgia, Purdue, Florida, Florida State and Xavier.[2] On November 10, 2017, Castleton tendered his National Letter of Intent as part of a five-man recruiting class that included Ignas Brazdeikis, David DeJulius, Brandon Johns and Adrien Nunez.[3]

College career

Castleton played in 19 games as a true freshman and averaged 1.1 points and 1.1 rebounds per game.[4] As a sophomore, he averaged 3.1 points on 54% shooting and 2.4 rebounds over 25 games played, all off the bench.[5] Following the end of the season, Castleton entered the transfer portal and ultimately transferred to the University of Florida, which had offered him a scholarship coming out of high school.[6] [7]

Castleton was granted a waiver to make him eligible to play for the Florida Gators immediately rather than have to sit out one season per NCAA transfer rules.[8] During the season, he became the seventh Gator (following Vernon Maxwell, Dan Cross, Joakim Noah, Scottie Wilbekin, Michael Frazier II (3) and Jalen Hudson) to ever earn Southeastern Conference (SEC) player of the week honors at least twice in the same season.[9] He was named second-team All-SEC after averaging 12.4 points and 6.4 rebounds with a conference-high 2.3 blocks per game during the regular season.[10] [11] Following the season, Castleton declared for the 2021 NBA draft while maintaining his college eligibility.[12] He ultimately opted to withdraw from the draft and return to Florida.[13]

On November 14, 2021, Castleton recorded 15 points, a career-high 16 rebounds and six blocks in a 71–55 win against Florida State.[14] That effort contributed to his third SEC Player of the Week honor.[15] He was named to the Second Team All-SEC as a senior.[16]

On January 16, 2023, Castleton was recognized with his fourth career SEC Player of the Week award, making him the second Gator to achieve four, one behind Vernon Maxwell in Gator history. The effort partly recognizes the rare stat line of 16 points, 13 rebounds, six assists, three steals and two blocked shots against Missouri on January 14.[17] [18] On February 15, 2023, Castleton broke his hand in a 79–64 win against Ole Miss and was lost for the season. Before the injury, he was averaging 16.5 points (third in the SEC), 7.9 rebounds (sixth) and 3.0 blocks (first) per game. He had been on a hot streak prior to the injury, with averages of 24.8 points and 9.5 rebounds per game over his last four games.[19] The coaches recognized him as a first-team All-SEC selectee.[20]

Professional career

Los Angeles / South Bay Lakers (2023–2024)

On July 3, 2023, Castleton signed a two-way contract with the NBA's Los Angeles Lakers and the G-League's South Bay Lakers.[21] Castleton was honored as a part of the Lakers team that won the inaugural 2023 NBA In-Season Tournament game.

In March, Castleton suffered a right wrist fracture, leaving him out of the lineup for multiple weeks.[22]

On July 6, 2024, Castleton signed another two-way contract with the Lakers,[23] but was waived on October 19.[24]

Memphis Grizzlies / Hustle (2024–present)

On October 27, 2024, Castleton joined the Long Island Nets,[25] and three days later, he signed a two-way contract with the Memphis Grizzlies.[26]

Career statistics

NBA

Regular season

|-| style="text-align:left;"| | style="text-align:left;"| L.A. Lakers| 16 || 0 || 3.7 || .563 || || 1.000 || .8 || .2 || .1 || .0 || 1.5|- class="sortbottom"| style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"| Career| 16 || 0 || 3.7 || .563 || || 1.000 || .8 || .2 || .1 || .0 || 1.5

College

|-| style="text-align:left;"| 2018–19| style="text-align:left;"| Michigan| 19 || 0 || 3.5 || .409 || .000 || .333 || 1.1 || .1 || .1 || .2 || 1.1|-| style="text-align:left;"| 2019–20| style="text-align:left;"| Michigan| 25 || 0 || 7.9 || .540 || .000 || .828 || 2.4 || .3 || .1 || .5 || 3.1|-| style="text-align:left;"| 2020–21| style="text-align:left;"| Florida| 24 || 21 || 25.7 || .597 || .000 || .781 || 6.4 || 1.1 || .5 || 2.3 || 12.4|-| style="text-align:left;"| 2021–22| style="text-align:left;"| Florida| 28 || 28 || 30.7 || .546 || .000 || .703 || 9.0 || 1.5 || .9 || 2.2 || 16.2|-| style="text-align:left;"| 2022–23| style="text-align:left;"| Florida| 26 || 26 || 31.2 || .500 || .133 || .729 || 7.7 || 2.7 || .9 || 3.0 || 16.0|- class="sortbottom"| style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"| Career| 122 || 76 || 20.9 || .537 || .063 || .730 || 5.6 || 1.2 || .5 || 1.7 || 10.4

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Boyle . Chris . March 30, 2018 . Michigan-bound Colin Castleton named Boys Basketball Player of the Year . March 23, 2021 . The Daytona Beach News-Journal.
  2. Web site: Chiari . Mike . October 7, 2017 . 4-Star PF Prospect Colin Castleton Commits to Michigan over Illinois, Others . March 23, 2021 . Bleacher Report.
  3. Web site: Wyrot . Tom . November 10, 2017 . Two In-State Products Among Five Early Signees for Wolverines . November 29, 2024 . Mgoblue.com.
  4. Web site: Colin Castleton receives immediate eligibility waiver. Riley. Gates. 247Sports.com. August 28, 2020. March 23, 2021.
  5. Web site: April 30, 2020 . Florida Gators add Michigan Wolverines transfer Colin Castleton . March 23, 2021 . . Associated Press.
  6. Web site: Sang . Orion . April 9, 2020 . Michigan basketball's Colin Castleton has entered transfer portal . March 23, 2021 . Detroit Free Press.
  7. Web site: Kahn . Andrew . April 26, 2020 . Michigan sophomore Colin Castleton transfers to Florida . March 23, 2021 . MLive.com.
  8. Web site: Thompson . Edgar . August 28, 2020 . Michigan transfer Colin Castleton eligible for Gators basketball team . March 23, 2021 . Orlando Sentinel.
  9. Web site: Nettuno . Tyler . February 1, 2021 . Colin Castleton joins an impressive list with second SEC Player of the Week honor . February 10, 2023 . USA Today.
  10. Web site: Florida Gators player to watch at NCAA tournament: Colin Castleton. The Star Press. March 17, 2021. March 23, 2021.
  11. Web site: Gators Tre Mann, Colin Castleton voted All-SEC. Wells. Kevin. WCJB.com. March 9, 2021. March 23, 2021.
  12. Web site: March 28, 2021 . Florida Gators big man Colin Castleton enters NBA draft for feedback . June 14, 2021 . ESPN.com.
  13. News: Harvey . Demetrius . July 4, 2021 . Colin Castleton Announces Return to Florida Gators . July 24, 2021 . Sports Illustrated.
  14. News: November 14, 2021 . Florida ends 7-game skid vs FSU, dedicates win to Johnson . November 15, 2021 . . Associated Press.
  15. Web site: Parler . Denver . November 15, 2021 . Castleton Earns SEC Player of the Week Honors . February 10, 2023 . Florida Gators.
  16. Men's Basketball All-SEC Teams & Awards Announced . March 8, 2022 . . March 8, 2022.
  17. Web site: Rosenberg . David . January 17, 2023 . Florida's Colin Castleton named SEC Player of the Week . February 10, 2023 . USA Today.
  18. Web site: Castleton named SEC Player of the Week: Florida earned a pair of conference victories behind Castleton’s performances. February 10, 2023. January 16, 2023. The Independent Florida Alligator. Hernandez . Brandon.
  19. Web site: Borzello . Jeff . February 15, 2023 . Florida loses leading scorer Colin Castleton to broken hand . February 18, 2023 . ESPN.
  20. Coaches select 2023 SEC men's basketball award winners . Southeastern Conference . March 6, 2023 . March 6, 2023.
  21. Web site: Lakers Sign Colin Castleton to Two-Way Contract. July 3, 2023. July 3, 2023. NBA.com.
  22. Web site: Daniel. Starkand. Lakers Injury Update: Colin Castleton To Be Re-Evaluated In Two Weeks With Right Wrist Fracture. LakersNation.com. February 26, 2024. April 12, 2024.
  23. Web site: Lakers Re-Sign Colin Castleton to Two-Way Contract. NBA.com. July 6, 2024. July 13, 2024.
  24. Web site: Los Angeles Lakers Convert Quincy Olivari to Two-Way Contract. NBA.com. October 19, 2024. October 20, 2024.
  25. 1850674269581197342 . LongIslandNets . Our official training camp roster #StrongIsland . Long Island Nets . October 27, 2024 . October 28, 2024.
  26. Web site: October 30, 2024 . Grizzlies sign Colin Castleton to two-way contract . October 30, 2024 . NBA.com.