Who Are The Spurs Core?
Exploring the players who have stepped up around Victor Wembanyama and have a long term expectations with the San Antonio Spurs.
The San Antonio Spurs are a team brimming with young talent. In 2022, they committed to a full rebuild, centering their efforts around budding star Josh Primo. However, after Primo was waived due to alleged sexual misconduct, the Spurs moved forward with three promising rookies—Jeremy Sochan, Malaki Branham, and Blake Wesley—alongside a few veteran role players. With a long rebuild ahead, the Spurs struck gold, landing generational prospect Victor Wembanyama in the draft. This sparked some fans to call for trading all future draft picks and current players for superstars to complement the French phenom. However, the Spurs organization has remained steadfast in developing their young core.
Wembanyama is clearly the Spurs' best player, recently ranked 5th on the KIA MVP Ladder. But the big question is: Where does the rest of the team stack up?
Is There a Core?
Among Spurs fans, there’s plenty of debate about whether the team has a true core group of players. The organization appears to have given certain players more responsibility than others. Three names besides Wembanyama have stood out this season: Jeremy Sochan, Stephon Castle, and Devin Vassell. Let’s take a closer look at each and see why they’re essential to the Spurs’ success.
Jeremy Sochan
Team chemistry is vital in any sport, but it’s especially true in basketball. Sochan and Wembanyama seem to have the best on-court chemistry—and they appear to be great friends off the court too. In the pick-and-roll, Sochan ranks 7th in efficiency as a roll man, putting him in the 96th percentile league-wide. While his efficiency drops off when shooting from midrange and beyond the arc, his shot is improving. Spurs’ new shooting coach, Jimmy Baron, has been working with Sochan to eliminate the hitch in his shot—a clear area for improvement. Despite this, Sochan is elite in the dunker’s spot and a solid rebounder.
Defensively, Sochan is the best point-of-attack defender on the team. There’s a running joke among fans that struggling players suddenly have career nights against the Spurs. One reason for this is that opposing teams’ stars are often guarded effectively by Sochan, leaving others to pick up the slack. At just 21 years old, Sochan is already a proven asset who is only beginning to reach his full potential. Alongside Wembanyama, he could form the foundation for a long and successful Spurs era.
Stephon Castle
With the 4th pick in the 2024 draft, the Spurs selected their point guard of the future: Stephon Castle. A defensive-minded player who can create his own shot, Castle has given the Spurs a real shot at back-to-back Rookie of the Year honors. As of this writing, Castle is ranked 2nd on the KIA NBA Rookie Ladder.
Under the mentorship of veteran Chris Paul, Castle is soaking up invaluable basketball knowledge. Despite occasional rookie mistakes—like turnovers or shooting slumps—he’s consistently making smart basketball decisions. Like Wembanyama, who won a championship in his rookie season with ASVEL in the Ligue Nationale de Basket, Castle knows how to win, having led the UConn Huskies to a national title in 2024. Castle has already shown flashes of brilliance, and with continued mentorship, he’s poised to become an indispensable member of the Spurs.
Devin Vassell
At 24 years old, Devin Vassell is the oldest player in the Spurs’ core. Until recently, it was controversial to consider him part of this group. However, after returning from injury, Vassell has found his stride, scoring 20 or more points in five consecutive games as of this writing.
Vassell faces criticism from fans as the highest-paid player in franchise history, starting his 5-year, $135 million deal this season. Though injuries have limited his availability, and he had a slow start to the year, his recent performances suggest he’s regaining form. The Spurs’ long-term commitment to Vassell aligns well with the NBA’s latest collective bargaining agreement. By the time his current deal expires, Vassell will be 28—right in his prime—while Wembanyama, Sochan, and Castle will be 25, 25, and 24, respectively. This core will have had six years to grow together, and there’s a strong chance the Spurs will have contended for multiple championships by then.
To see further discussion of Vassell’s Struggle upon his return click here
More Help on the Way?
Now that we’ve reviewed the core, you might be wondering: Who will be the fifth starter and the next long-term commitment? The Spurs could address this through a trade or by scouting collegiate and international talent in the draft. The 2025 NBA Draft will ideally be the last time the Spurs look to add a player capable of contributing to the starting lineup immediately. Fortunately, this year’s Men’s NCAA Final Four will be hosted in San Antonio, giving the Spurs’ scouting staff a front-row seat to some of the best collegiate talent. With their state-of-the-art practice facility, the Spurs will be well-positioned to attract top prospects for workouts.
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What do you think about the Spurs’ core players? Do you see it differently? Share your thoughts in the comments below!