NBA Rookie Ladder: Spurs' Jeremy Sochan Rising?
Jeremy Sochan has lived up to his potential as a rookie for the San Antonio Spurs and has earned yet another placement on nba.com's latest Rookie Ladder.
Sochan was ranked No. 8 on the list, situated between two Houston Rockets players -- Jabari Smith Jr. (No. 7) and Tari Easton (No. 9). The 6-9 forward has missed four of his last seven games with a knee injury.
However, when he's played, he's been dynamic. Save a three-point dud against the Memphis Grizzlies on Mar. 17 which saw him attempt only one field goal in eight minutes of play, Sochan has filled the stat sheet.
He produced 19 points and eight rebounds in a surprise San Antonio victory over the Western Conference-leading Denver Nuggets on Mar. 10 and followed that up with his second career double-double in an 18-point win against the Orlando Magic on Mar. 14.
In the latter, Sochan scored 29 points -- his second-highest scoring output in his young career -- and shot 50 percent from the three-point line on three makes -- the eighth time he's shot 50 percent or better from outside on multiple threes made in 10 qualifying games.
Sochan impresses away from the numbers with a silky-smooth game that allows him to face-up, pull-up from the midrange, and get to the basket with verve. His footwork and finesse are well beyond his years, and though his statistics don't jump off of the page, proper cultivation of his talent in a championship-caliber Spurs organization will aid in his development.
Just making the list was fellow Spurs guard Malaki Branham. He took the final spot at No. 12, behind three double-figure scoring performances in seven games across the month of March. He was not ranked in the previous Ladder.
Sochan has four forwards ahead of him on the Ladder -- Paolo Banchero (No. 1, Orlando Magic), Jalen Williams (No. 2, Oklahoma City Thunder), Keegan Murray (No. 6, Sacramento Kings) and Smith Jr. He has stiff competition for an All-Rookie team selection, but a strong finish to the season may tip the balances in his favor.
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