Jan. 26, 2005

After leaving South San Antonio High School as a standout player, Ray Castillo (San Antonio, TX/Temple College) started looking for a chance to continue his passion of playing basketball.

Castillo took his talents to Incarnate Word University, but he was red-shirted during his first semester with the squad and transferred to Temple College. The change of scenery gave him the opportunity to play with his former high school teammate Sergio Sanchez (San Antonio, TX/Temple College).

For two seasons, the duo ignited one of the most dynamic scoring teams in all of junior college competition, leading the country with an average of 102.4 points per evening. In his last season, Castillo earned All-North Texas Junior College Athletic Conference first team accolades en route to helping the Leopards to a 24-7 record.

It was the second time that Castillo would have an opportunity to play alongside Sanchez, but it wouldn't be the last. Following their careers at Temple College, Castillo and Sanchez made the decision to bring their skills to South Texas and the Rio Grande Valley for an opportunity to play for UT - Pan American. Castillo said that UTPA was one of many schools that were looking at him, but it was the only one that wanted both him and Sanchez.

"We wanted to stay together because we know each other's games so well," Castillo said. "Ninety percent of the Valley is Hispanic, and we really felt that we fit in here."

Castillo has always been the type of player to come off the bench and put up the big numbers that are usually associated with starters. He compares himself to NBA All-Star Reggie Miller where his biggest strength is his ability to dish out the damage from behind the three-point line.

In less than two seasons, Castillo has collected 103 treys and finds himself ranked seventh on UTPA's all-time three-point field goals made list. Last season, he notched 63 three-pointers, which was the ninth most in single-season program history. This season, he has racked up a team-high 40 treys, including six games of five or more.

Although Castillo looks to hit a trey every time down the floor, he really believes that his success would not be possibly if not for his teammates. They are the ones who give him the opportunity to get open for a clean shot.

"They have everything to do with it. I think my job is to come in and score and do the best I can defensively," added Castillo.

In his final season with the Broncs, Castillo is averaging 8.5 points per evening in 18 games of action. He recorded his best game of his career against Wright State (Dec. 22) where he racked up 30 points, including eight three-pointers - the second most treys in single-game history. It was actually the second time that he notched eight treys while wearing a Broncs' uniform.

On Monday (Jan. 17), Castillo put up 15 points - all stemming from the long ball - against UT-San Antonio in the Broncs' 90-78 victory at the UTPA Fieldhouse. That game also marked the 10th contest this season that Sanchez has missed action due to an injury, and Castillo has seen his scoring production steadily improve during this span. With Sanchez in the lineup, Castillo is averaging 6.8 points per game and scoring 9.9 points an evening without his teammate.

"I'm a role player. My job is to score points in a hurry. If they can't stop you from shooting then why stop shooting," said Castillo.

After all, it's the passion of the game and the thrill of scoring that keeps Castillo coming back for more.

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