June 5, 2008
San Antonio – St. Mary’s University men’s basketball coach Jim Zeleznak announced on Thursday the signing of El Paso native Dion “D.J.” Castro to a national letter of intent to join the Rattlers, starting with the 2008-09 academic year. Castro is the sixth signee for the Rattlers this offseason.
Castro (Fr., El Paso), a 6’0″ guard, was a three-time all-district selection for coach Gary Pippen at Eastwood High School. He was named All-City Newcomer of the Year as a sophomore in 2005-06. He saved his best for last as he was named first team all-district, all-city and District 1-5A Player of the Year after averaging 14.8 points and 2.0 assists per game as a senior. Castro helped lead Eastwood to three straight bi-district championships and the District 1-5A in 2007-08. His senior season EHS had a 28-6 record, ranked first in the city of El Paso and 17th in the state of Texas. Off the court he was a member of the National Honor Society.
“We are very excited to have D.J. a part of the St. Mary’s basketball family,” Zeleznak said. “He has excellent basketball instincts and is a very good shooter. D.J. has the skills to play both the point guard and the wing positions.”
St. Mary’s finished the 2007-08 season with a 17-13 record and won the Heartland Conference Tournament title. They fell to Tarleton State University in the first round of the NCAA South Central Region Tournament.