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As the San Antonio Spurs opened the season against the Charlotte Hornets, NBA history was created. That's because rookie Jeremy Sochan became the youngest opening night starter for Spurs.
The 19-year-old was selected with the 9th overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft by Spurs. The rookie scored four points (2-8 FG, 0-2 3Pt, 0-1 FT), seven rebounds, two assists and two steals over 27 minutes in Wednesday's 129-102 loss to the Hornets.
Sochan averaged 9.2 points, 6.4 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game as a freshman while playing for Baylor. He earned the Big 12 Sixth Man of the Year Award and also made the Big 12 All-Freshman team.
He said about making his NBA debut:
"Having that first official game is going to be crazy. It’s something I’ve always dreamed of. It’s the NBA. It’s a different league, the best league. Just getting used to it and being comfortable has been the main thing. I’m a rookie, so I’m not going to come in and take the ball out of other players’ hands. Finding a way to stay on the court doing little things is going to be big for me."
Gregg Popovich is one of the greatest coaches the league has ever seen. The San Antonio Spurs developmental system has always churned out gems and superstar players through the years.
The combination of Popovich and the development system at Spurs should help Sochan's career pan out well. The legendary Popovich said about Sochan:
"He’s got the tools to do very well. We just want to throw him in the frying pan and see how he does. You’ve got to give him some space, let him make some mistakes and take time to feel comfortable at both ends of the court. It’s a whole new world for him."
San Antonio Spurs commit to full rebuild to get chance at acquiring Victor Wembanyama
The San Antonio Spurs committed to a full rebuild this summer, as they traded away their All-Star guard Dejounte Murray.
Murray was traded to the Atlanta Hawks in exchange for the Hornets’ 2023 first-round pick (top-16 protected), the Hawks’ 2025 first-round pick (unprotected) and the Hawks’ 2027 first-round pick (unprotected). They also have the right to swap first-round picks with the Hawks in 2026, and Danilo Gallinari.
The Spurs will look to tank this summer and bag the first pick in the 2023 NBA draft. French wonderkid Victor Wembanyama is expected to be the first pick in the draft and is arguably the greatest prospect in NBA history. Wembanyama is 7-foot-5 with a 8-foot wingspan with shooting abilities like Kevin Durant and defensive presence like Rudy Gobert.
The San Antonio Spurs have had previous lottery luck in NBA history. They drafted future Hall of Famer David Robinson with the first pick in the 1989 draft. With the Spurs tottering in 1996-97 season, the franchise got the first pick in the 1997 draft and ended up drafting Tim Duncan with the first pick. Duncan went on to win five NBA championships with the Spurs.
Guess the Lakers players!
