NBA Draft 2022: What Spurs are getting in Jeremy Sochan

By John Fanta
FOX Sports College basketball writer

Basketball life began in England and stopped in Poland, Germany and America. A versatile talent. Blond haircut, reflecting a great personality.

To rebuild the San Antonio Spurs, who owned four of the top 40 picks in NBA The draft, the ninth selection offered a variety of avenues. Instead of looking for recruiting and stockpiling capabilities or conducting a trade, San Antonio pursued one of the most brilliant prospects in the class – Jeremy Suchan.

The 19-year-old fits in with Greg Popovich’s scheme as he won’t learn much about defense. At 6-foot-9 and 230 pounds with a wingspan of more than seven feet, Susan won the Big 12 Sixth Man of the Year and was selected to the All-Freshman team at the convention in his only season at Baylor.

For a Spurs organization that only has two players over the age of 30, Sushan fits right in with the youth movement, and his defensive ascent is as strong as any player in his class. Suchan is interchangeable, has great foot speed and embraces physical strength when matched with big men. Head coach Scott Drew, impressed with the way he got into the Baylor Show – which was coming off winning the 2021 National title – and fitting in as one of the team’s best communicators, particularly on defense.

In the NBA, he doesn’t just say that Tottenham?

The organization’s success has been built on the foundation of players doing the little things and being willing to play team basketball. Sushan only started one game in college, but it was in the top 10. He has a lottery talent skill set but was willing to be a backup for his team.

“We think he compliments the group really well,” Spurs general manager Brian Wright said when asked about Susan. “He’s a conductor.” “It’s versatility. You see now, the smaller teams play and the guys are able to guard multiple locations, he hooks you on both ends of the floor. He can pass, he can think. He’s physical, he’s selfless, he’s adaptable. We wanted to add her to this team, and he’s a little fun with this head of hair.”

Born to a Polish mother, Anita, and an American father, Ryan Williams, Susan moved to England at the age of two, and was raised in Milton Keynes. With his parents playing basketball professionally, the game has always been a part of Sushan’s life. He moved to America to study at high school at La Lumiere in Indiana, but went to Germany to play for a team during the pandemic. Spending time in Poland as part of the national team program as well, Sochan was truly a world citizen.

In fact, Wright compared Suchan to 14-year-old NBA player Boris Diaw, who played for Tottenham from 2012-16 and served as captain of the French national team.

“Hearing how he thinks about basketball, but life outside of basketball, really aligns with what we hope to be and what we hope the environment and culture will be, so we think it would add something on and off the court,” Wright added.

At the end of the offensive floor, the obvious area in need of improvement is Sushan’s shot. Sushan only fired 29% from outside the arc, and he’s never looked so comfortable on the ocean. Plus, according to Synergy, he only hooked up with 30 players on the half field over the course of his entire 30-game season.

If Spurs can develop this part of their game, Sochan could be a real threat, as he is already an aggressive striker. Susan can punish a great defender for dribbling and isn’t afraid to call when he heads over to the edge. His skill and sense of the game, aided by his extensive international background, give him a variety of ways to finish the hoop and post. That’s why the jump will likely end up being the main determinant of how much Sushan influences the league.

Sutchan interferes with an organization that has a history of developing talent, but has work to do to return to being a legitimate force in the West. However, Sochan will be able to jump straight into the rebuilding franchise, and he’ll have plenty of opportunities to influence the organization right away.

While San Antonio have Doug McDermott and Keldon Johnson as forwards, the level that Suchan can defend combined with his offensive ascendancy makes him a desirable piece for San Antonio going forward as he can match anyone from one to five. His fit development is perfect, and Spurs are clearly taking it all into full swing having replaced Dejounte Murray with the Hawks for a package that includes three future first-round picks and veteran Danillo Gallinari.

Tottenham trade Dejounte Murray with the Hawks

The San Antonio Spurs have agreed to trade All-Star guard Degonte Murray with the Atlanta Hawks for Danilo Galinari and recruit picks. Joy Taylor explains why she is such a fan of Murray’s move to Atlanta.

Overall, there’s a lot to make sense with this choice, and Sushan’s throwback game and selfless personality give him quite a bit of intrigue on his way to the league.

It’s not a finished product, and it’s gone to an organization that knows how to develop players and needs new faces for their future.

John Fanta is a National College Basketball announcer and writer for FOX Sports. He covers sports in a variety of capacities, from invoking games on FS1 to serving as the main host on the BIG EAST Digital Network to providing commentary on The Field of 68 Media Network. Follow him on Twitter Tweet embed.