San Antonio Spurs rookie Jeremy Sochan has a unique appearance and play style. Sochan was a standout at Baylor, where he averaged 9.2 points, 6.4 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.3 steals in 25.1 minutes over 30 games (one start) last season. His production on the court helped him make a name for himself and he also caught people’s attention because of his dyed hair, free spirit and socially conscious rhetoric.
Sochan and the Spurs has been a match made in heaven. Sochan gives the Spurs an old-school starting power forward who is averaging 7.7 points, 4.1 rebounds and 1.8 assists in 24.9 minutes in 17 games (as of November 21). The talented rookie gets to learn under a legendary head coach in Gregg Popovich, which can only help his career be on the right path.
A student of the game
The 19-year-old has immediately embraced NBA legends of the past. Sochan chose jersey number 10, Dennis Rodman’s number for nine years with the Pistons and Spurs. The alternating hair colors and his jersey number are not the only similarities with the four-time NBA champion.
Like Rodman, Sochan cares more about playing defense than scoring. This attribute in particular, landed him in the Spurs’ starting lineup. He became the first Spurs rookie to begin the season as a starter since the legendary Tim Duncan in 1997.
Sochan also shows affinity towards retro basketball shoes. He recently joined 13 fellow rookies who signed with Nike, and he continuously wears rare Kobe Bryant signature sneakers.
A free spirit
“I hope NBA fans learn that I am a free spirit,” Sochan told Andscape after the Spurs beat the Timberwolves 115-106 on October 24. “Someone that has positive energy and likes to grow on and off the court.
Seeing the world has opened up my eyes to different people and cultures, food, music. It has really made me really open and creative and helped me on and off the court. It’s been great and matured me. I’m not a normal 19-year-old.”
While Sochan isn’t a scorer like No. 1 pick Paolo Banchero, Chet Holmgren, Jabari Smith Jr., Keegan Murray, Jaden Ivey and Bennedict Mathurin, the Spurs can help him grow that skill, and he is certainly one of the top defensive rookies in the league.
Room for improvement
Sochan’s poor shooting joining the NBA is concerning, but there’s room for improvement. Yes, Sochan is just 6-of-39 from three-point range (15.4 percent) in just 17 career games (as of November 21), but this shouldn’t discourage him.
Some claimed that Sochan should avoid shooting three-pointers altogether, but he is still averaging 1.8 attempts over his last five games.
That said, he has a well-rounded game. Over 1,000 players have entered the league since the 2000 NBA Draft and only 86 rookies have the same or more points, rebounds, assists, steals and blocks than Sochan. And like Rodman, his presence is felt outside of the box score.
Only time will tell if Sochan develops a jump shot. Even if he doesn’t he will still be a focal point of the Spurs’ rebuild. He shot 29.6 percent from beyond the arc in his only season at Baylor. The Spurs never expected him to be Stephen Curry; he is more of a presence player like Rodman than a stat-stuffer.
Cavaliers vs. Spurs on December 12
Sochan and the Spurs will face a tough test when they host the Cavaliers on December 12. It will be the first of two meetings between the teams this season. The second game will be played on February 13 in Cleveland.
Led by Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland, the Cavaliers are off to an 11-6 start as of this writing. These two teams are seemingly heading in opposite directions.
The Spurs are exceeding expectations so far, but the idea was for them to tank as they’re in rebuild mode while the Cavaliers have enough talent to make some noise in the East. Keep this in mind if betting this game. Those in Cleveland know that Ohio’s FanDuel Sportsbook covers both sides.
The Cavaliers will likely be favored on the December 12 game against the Spurs, but don’t underestimate the home team. Sochan can be the X-factor and his rebounding and defense can help the Spurs keep the game close and cover.
The talented Spurs rookie will likely have to guard Jarrett Allen and Kevin Love, which will be very complicated challenges, but he’s proven that he’s capable.