Matt Winer and Steve Smith react to Jeremy Sochan going #9 overall in the 2022 NBA Draft.
Prospect Overview
Versatile forward who fills in a lot of blanks on both ends of the floor guarding multiple positions, making hustle plays, passing the ball with nice vision, and scoring opportunistically while steadily improving as a jump shooter.
About Jeremy Sochan
Jeremy Sochan is a versatile, competitive forward who does a lot of little things on both ends that stood out on the nights when he put everything together as a freshman at Baylor. Among the most well-traveled prospects in this draft, Sochan was born in Oklahoma City, grew up in England, spent time at La Lumiere School (IN) and OrangeAcademy in Germany during his high school career, and suited up for Poland in international competition. Emerging as a prospect averaging 16.1 points, 9.6 rebounds, 3.1 steals, and 3 assists over 27.5 minutes per game at the 2019 FIBA U16 Division B European Championship, Sochan spent his final season before he enrolled at Baylor competing in the German 3rd Division where he averaged 9.4 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 1.9 assists per game for the developmental team of EuroCup participant Ratiopharm Ulm.
He generated some buzz towards the end of what amounts to his senior year of high school by becoming the youngest player to ever see action for Poland, registering 18 points over 29 minutes in a win over Romania in the February FIBA Qualifying window. Filling a variety of roles off the bench for Head Coach Scott Drew as a true freshman, the 19-year-old forward finished his lone collegiate season averaging 9.2 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 1.7 assists over 25 minutes per game while earning Big XII Sixth Man of the Year honors.
• Listed at 6’9 with a 230-pound frame and a 7’0 wingspan, Sochan has good dimensions for a power forward to go along with solid athleticism and a terrific motor.
• Doing a little bit of everything offensively for a guard-oriented team with several well-established scorers, Sochan spent time looking for angles inside and crashing the glass as a small-ball center, running the wings like a wing, and even pushing the ball himself in transition.
• Possessing a strong feel for the game that helped him make the most of his activity level and find the open man as a passer, he was more productive some nights than others but was consistent with his approach. While he was streaky from the perimeter last season and has room to grow as a shooter to round out his game, he had several very productive outings when he put everything together and showed the ability to make a consistent impact even when he wasn’t putting the ball in the basket.
• Guarding multiple positions throughout the season and regularly sliding up to the center spot out of necessity late in the year, Sochan displayed a promising blend of versatility and intensity on the defensive end at Baylor. He is not overly long to be an imposing rim protector or quick to stay in front of small guards, but has excellent instincts, mixes it up pursuing loose balls, and shows a lot of tenacity making multiple efforts.
Advanced Stats
• Playing primarily off the ball last season but getting some opportunities to handle the ball both in the open floor and even in ball screens some nights, there’s not a lot Sochan did not do offensively last season. He’s comfortable with the ball in his hands and likes to make the easy play as a passer, but served mostly as a spot up threat and target for drop passes on a team deep with ball handlers.
• Finishing opportunistically inside, Sochan averaged 1.42 points per shot around the rim in the half court [92nd percentile]. Rebounding the ball very effectively for his size, cutting with great timing from the perimeter, and finishing with good body control when he couldn’t play above the rim, he did a nice job capitalizing on his opportunities around the basket all season.
• With a third of his shots within Baylor’s half court sets coming in spot up situations, Sochan averaged 0.97 points per catch and shoot jump shot [48th percentile]. He had some ups and downs from beyond the arc and at the foul line last season but showed marked improvement on both fronts from his senior season in Germany leaving some room for optimism about his ability to grow into a capable floor spacer.
• Able to bring the ball up the floor and create some shots for others driving and dishing, Sochan’s instincts translate in a variety of ways offensively.
Defensive Analysis
• An engaged, energetic defender who showed some ability to switch on the perimeter, protect the rim, hold his ground in the post, and make crisp rotations to closeout shooters, Sochan helped Baylor sustain their high standard on the defensive end coming off their National Championship season.
• Despite giving up quickness and size on some crossmatches, he allowed just 0.63 points per isolation possession [69th percentile] and 0.58 points per post up possession [89th percentile] bringing steady intensity and consistently working to get back in plays when he was beat.
• Finding a body on the glass and hustling off the ball, Sochan filled in a lot of blanks on the defensive end last season for an 18-year-old.
— Profile by Synergy Sports
