Readers’ pick: Rafael Castro
Redshirt junior forward Rafael Castro turned quiet consistency into dominance this season, pulling down boards and scoring points without pause.
In his inaugural season with the Revolutionaries, Castro wore the jersey like it was his second skin, leading the team in points, rebounds and blocks. He’s bringing his frontcourt finesse back to the Charles E. Smith Center for his redshirt senior season, which he said will help him shine.
“I got the opportunity I finally wanted,” he said.
Castro said the shifting NCAA landscape — with record numbers of players entering the transfer portal, including three of GW’s own — made departing the team an option, but he ultimately decided against it “from a character standpoint.”
He owned the Smith Center court, ranking third in the country for field goal percentage and landing in the top 30 for total rebounds, achievements Castro attributes to his confident demeanor. Castro said he credited Collin Nnamene, a graduate assistant for the team, for helping him tweak everything from his shooting to his on-court positioning.
“He’s kind of the guy that’s, every day, in the gym with me,” Castro said. “Working on basic footwork, my jumpers or really any touch in the paint. We work on it every day.”
Castro recalled his favorite memory from this past season as the team’s 76-59 victory over Mercyhurst University to open the campaign. The Revs had a bountiful second half, with Castro notching a double-double, his first of 13 on the season.
“Just the energy, that game just set the tone for the rest of the season,” Castro said.
Castro’s breakout came against Duquesne on Jan. 15, when he scored 27 points and 13 rebounds in GW’s 73-65 loss. Since then, he’s maintained his stat sheet stuffing, ending the year averaging 14 points and 8.9 rebounds a game.
Off the court, Castro said his main hobby these days is sleeping. He said taking naps keeps him from getting too “cranky.”
“I take a lot of naps,” he said. “I need a nap.”
Castro’s 6-foot-11-inch frame and athleticism make him a versatile weapon in Head Coach Chris Caputo’s game plan, granting his guards a funnel toward the rim with his strong offensive positioning. Castro said his versatility makes him a defensive mismatch with a scoring touch.
“I just think I’m very versatile,” he said. “I can guard the one through five, I could score really from anywhere, and I will see, hopefully next season, y’all see me extended out to the 3-point line.”
That versatility also bleeds into other areas of Castro’s life. Castro said he produces music in his dorm for fun.
“I make music in my room,” Castro said. “I got a little at-home studio setup, but unfortunately, I’m never gonna release a song.”
The Atlantic 10 named Castro to the All-Conference Second Team for his efforts last season, a sign of his improved play throughout the year. Castro, though, said the statistics he put throughout the year were worthy of first-team honors.
“Men lie, women lie, numbers don’t,” he said.
Castro said he’s aspiring to win some team hardware and take home the A-10’s top prizes next season.
“I want to go for that Player of the Year award, but as a team, honestly, I want to win the A-10 and get dancing in March with my teammates,” Castro said.
