Seven-Foot Sixer
Steve Castleberry
goes to 76ers camp
By Joe Haubrich

Former Rider center Steve Castleberry is part of the Philadelphia 76ers preseason training roster.

Castleberry, who played on Rider’s 2004-05 Metro Atlantic Atheltic Confernce regular season championship team, worked out with other NBA hopefuls this summer and caught the eye of Philadelphia’s new coach Mo Cheeks.

“Cheeks saw me play and liked what he saw, and I got the call,” said Castleberry.

The seven-footer now has the opportunity to play with the likes of Allen Iverson, Chris Webber, Kyle Korver and Andre Iguodala.

“Steve is such a good kid,” said Rider interim head coach Tom Dempsey. “I’m so excited for him and his family.”
After he graduated, Castleberry set his sights on playing overseas. In fact, he was all set to play in Germany before his agent called him to tell him about his NBA opportunity.

“I was watching football on television with my friend when my agent called and asked if I still wanted to go to Germany or if I wanted to attend an NBA training camp,” Castleberry said. “That was a no-brainer, especially when he said it was the Sixers.”

Castleberry lives in Hatboro, Pa, which is a short drive from Philadelphia.

“When I moved to the Philadelphia area I began following the Sixers,” he said.

Castleberry’s character will help him be successful on a professional level, according to his former assistant coach.

“Steve is a great guy,” said Dempsey. “There are about 12 guys on an NBA roster. You need a guy that is willing to make the team better. You need good citizens. There might be a place for him in the NBA.”

There is something about the area that produces great basketball players. Kobe Bryant and Richard Hamilton are two of the many local talents who are currently having success at the professional level.

“There are great athletes in the area, from New Jersey in particular,” said Dempsey. “It’s one of the best states for high school basketball, and it’s so close to New York and Philadelphia. Basketball is a city game, so location is important.”

Castleberry is currently working out with the team at Duke University.

“My goals are to show what I can do down here,” Castleberry said. “[I want to] show all the things I’ve learned in the last few years, especially this summer working out with a strong level of competition, and to make this team.”

“Realistically, I think Steve has a shot,” said Dempsey. “He’s a unique player in that he can score off the block well and he can rebound. Today, so many players want to be guards, but Steve has those qualities that [great centers] used to possess.”

Castleberry played in 61 games in two seasons for the Broncs, compiling 580 points and 326 rebounds. He is part of the senior class that included MAAC stars Jerry Johnson and Robert Taylor, who were so valuable to the team’s success last season. Castleberry also has one of the most successful academic careers of his teammates.

“I feel I am so much better now than I was at Rider,” Castleberry said. “This summer I was introduced to a lot of new things. The competition was very strong. There were a lot of players preparing for the NBA or for Europe, like myself. The competition was very strong and it brought out the best in my game. I worked on my perimeter game as well.”

Being on the preseason training roster does not guarantee Castleberry a spot on the team once the season begins, but he will gain experience, confidence, connections and a wealth of knowledge nonetheless.

“When I graduated from Rider, my goal was to go overseas and play,” said Castleberry.” “That could still happen if things don’t work out here, but right now I’m thinking about making this team. And I think I have a shot. There just aren’t that many seven-footers out there.”