The Spurs Just Did What Only Five Franchises Have Pulled Off Before
In a league with legends carved into every hardwood court, the San Antonio Spurs just added their own twist to NBA history with back-to-back NBA Rookie of the Year winners.
Last year, Victor Wembanyama, the towering phenom from France, turned the NBA on its head. He was dominant, versatile, and earned the 2023 NBA Rookie of the Year unanimously. Fast-forward to this week, and Stephon Castle, the Spurs’ 2024 No. 4 overall pick, just claimed the same honor as part of the exclusive back-to-back NBA Rookie of the Year winners club.
Two rookies. Two years. One franchise. This makes Wemby and Castle the sixth ever duo from the same team to win back-to-back Rookie of the Year awards and adds them to the list of back-to-back NBA Rookie of the Year winners.
Let’s take a walk through the exclusive club of back-to-back NBA Rookie of the Year winners they’ve just joined.
A Look Back: Legendary ROTY Duos
1. Chicago Packers/Zephyrs (1962–63)
- Walt Bellamy (1961–62 ROTY) was an instant star.
- The next year, Terry Dischinger continued the trend under the team’s new name, the Zephyrs.
2. Baltimore Bullets (1967–69)
- Earl Monroe dazzled in ‘67–68.
- Wes Unseld followed with a monster season and MVP/ROTY combo in ‘68–69.
3. Portland Trail Blazers (1970–72)
- Geoff Petrie (co-ROTY in 1970).
- Sidney Wicks kept the streak alive the following year.
4. Buffalo Braves (1972–74)
- Bob McAdoo and Ernie DiGregorio dominated early ’70s rookie talks.
5. Minnesota Timberwolves (2014–16)
- Andrew Wiggins started it off.
- Karl-Anthony Towns brought it home the next year, adding themselves to the list of back-to-back NBA Rookie of the Year winners.
And now, the San Antonio Spurs, thanks to Wemby and Castle, are part of this rare lineage of back-to-back NBA Rookie of the Year winners.
The Modern Marvels: Wemby and Castle
🏀 Victor Wembanyama – 2023 ROTY
The unicorn arrived, and the world noticed. Wembanyama’s shot-blocking, ball-handling, and basketball IQ blew away expectations. He became the first unanimous ROTY since Blake Griffin.
🏀 Stephon Castle – 2024 ROTY
Castle, a former UConn star, slipped to the No. 4 pick – but rose to the top of the rookie class. With poise and aggression on both ends of the floor, he gave San Antonio its second straight jewel.
Together, they represent the Spurs’ commitment to building around generational talent, and possibly, the next dynasty in the making.
Why This Matters
This moment isn’t just about two awards. It’s about a franchise threading together future greatness. In a league that rarely gives do-overs, hitting on rookies two years in a row is like catching lightning in a bottle—twice, exemplifying the phenomenon of back-to-back NBA Rookie of the Year winners.
So here’s to Wemby, to Castle, and to history repeating itself in the best way possible.
