All-Star Snubs? Spurs’ Castle and Fox Left Out Despite Strong Cases
When Stephen Curry was officially ruled out of the All-Star Game, it opened the door for a replacement - and for a moment, it looked like the San Antonio Spurs might get a second name alongside Victor Wembanyama. But instead of rewarding one of San Antonio’s standout guards, the NBA tapped Toronto’s Brandon Ingram to fill Curry’s spot. And around the Spurs’ locker room, that decision didn’t sit well.
Veteran forward Harrison Barnes summed up the mood bluntly: “It would be criminal if [Stephon Castle] and Fox didn’t get a look. We’re No. 2 in the West.”
It’s hard to argue with Barnes. The Spurs have been one of the most consistent teams in the league this season, and both De’Aaron Fox and rookie Stephon Castle have played major roles in that success. Yet neither was selected, even as multiple players from teams with worse records earned All-Star nods.
Let’s start with Castle. The rookie has been more than just a bright spot - he’s been a revelation.
He’s averaging 16.7 points, 5.1 rebounds, 7.0 assists and 1.3 steals per game. Those are numbers that don’t just pop on the stat sheet - they translate to winning basketball.
Castle’s poise, court vision, and two-way impact have been huge for San Antonio, especially in tight games. His shooting splits - 46.8% from the field, 28.9% from three, and 72.2% from the line - show a player still developing as a shooter, but already making a big difference with his all-around game.
Castle will be at All-Star Weekend, just not in the main event. He’s set to participate in the Rising Stars competition, joined by fellow Spurs rookies Dylan Harper and David Jones Garcia (though Garcia will miss the event due to injury).
Carter Bryant will also represent San Antonio in the Dunk Contest. It’s a strong rookie class, no doubt - but Castle’s performance this season has warranted more than just a Rising Stars nod.
Then there’s De’Aaron Fox. Somehow, the explosive guard is still stuck on just one career All-Star appearance, and that’s becoming harder and harder to justify.
This season, he’s putting up 19.3 points, 3.9 rebounds, 6.2 assists, and 1.2 steals per game, shooting 47.9% from the field, 34.8% from deep, and 79.3% at the line. Those are efficient, well-rounded numbers for a player who’s been a steady engine for a top-tier team in the West.
Fox’s speed, control, and ability to take over in crunch time have been crucial to San Antonio’s success. He may not always have the flashiest stat lines, but his value goes beyond the box score. He’s the kind of guard who bends defenses, dictates tempo, and makes life easier for everyone around him - the kind of player you want in an All-Star Game.
Barnes made another important point: if the All-Star Game is about rewarding players who contribute to winning basketball, then San Antonio’s position in the standings should matter. The Spurs are second in the West, ahead of several teams with multiple All-Stars. That discrepancy raises fair questions about how selections are made - and how much team success really factors into the decision.
At the end of the day, All-Star snubs are nothing new. Every year, deserving players get left out. But for a Spurs team that’s exceeded expectations and played high-level basketball all season, it’s tough to see two of their biggest contributors watching from the sidelines.
Fox and Castle may not be headed to the All-Star Game this year, but if they keep playing at this level, it’s only a matter of time. The league - and the voters - won’t be able to overlook them for long.