George Washington University Athletics
Photo by: Greg Fiume
Castro Named Finalist for 2025-26 Lefty Driesell Award
3/10/2026 2:32:00 PM | Men's Basketball
WASHINGTON - GW redshirt senior center Rafael Castro has been named a finalist for the Lefty Driesell Award, presented annually to the top defensive player in Division I by CollegeInsider.com.
Castro made his presence in the paint known all year for George Washington, tallying 40 blocks and 46 steals to go along with an A-10 leading 6.1 defensive rebounds per game that ranked 38th nationally. Despite missing six games due to injury, Castro is one of just six players nationally to tally 40+ blocks and 45+ steals this season and is the only DIvision I player in the country with 1.8 steals per game and 1.6 blocks per game.
The Lefty Driesell award is named in honor of the legendary coach who spent over four decades as a head coach and won 786 games in 41 years at Davidson, Maryland, James Madison, and Georgia State.
The recipient of the annual award is determined by a 10-member voting committee, which consists of current and former head coaches, as well as two senior staff members of collegeinsider.com. The 2026 award will be announced in Indianapolis, Ind., site of the men's Division I Basketball Championship.
Castro made his presence in the paint known all year for George Washington, tallying 40 blocks and 46 steals to go along with an A-10 leading 6.1 defensive rebounds per game that ranked 38th nationally. Despite missing six games due to injury, Castro is one of just six players nationally to tally 40+ blocks and 45+ steals this season and is the only DIvision I player in the country with 1.8 steals per game and 1.6 blocks per game.
The Lefty Driesell award is named in honor of the legendary coach who spent over four decades as a head coach and won 786 games in 41 years at Davidson, Maryland, James Madison, and Georgia State.
The recipient of the annual award is determined by a 10-member voting committee, which consists of current and former head coaches, as well as two senior staff members of collegeinsider.com. The 2026 award will be announced in Indianapolis, Ind., site of the men's Division I Basketball Championship.
Players Mentioned
C
/ Men's BasketballGW Men's Basketball vs. St. Bonaventure (Post-Game Press Conference)
Thursday, March 05
GW Men's Basketball vs. Dayton (Post-Game Press Conference)
Saturday, February 28
GW Men's Basketball vs George Mason (Post-Game Press Conference)
Saturday, February 14
GW Men's Basketball vs. Rhode Island (Post-Game Press Conference)
Wednesday, February 11