WATCH: Baylor Family Reunion Leads to Pair of Bears Drafted
A pair of Baylor Bears had a reunion prior to the 2022 NBA Draft on Thursday when Jeremy Sochan and Kendall Brown briefly embraced and exchanged words of encouragement.
Baylor men's basketball posted a short video of the interaction on social media.
A little #BaylorFamily reunion 🥺@SochanJeremy 🤝 @TheeKbrown #SicEm | #CultureofJOY pic.twitter.com/wm6cpZkGN0
— Baylor Men’s Basketball (@BaylorMBB) June 23, 2022
Shortly after that moment, both Sochan and Brown heard their names called at Thursday night's NBA Draft in Brooklyn, New York.
Sochan was the first off the draft board for the Bears, as the San Antonio Spurs nabbed the former Baylor freshman with the No. 9 overall pick.
🔊 The moment Commissioner Adam Silver announced the @spurs selecting @SochanJeremy 9th overall in the 2022 NBA Draft. #SicEm | #CultureofJOY pic.twitter.com/aGRSSAnbtl
— Baylor Men’s Basketball (@BaylorMBB) June 24, 2022
A 6-9, 230-pound forward from Milton Keynes, England, Sochan averaged 9.2 points, 6.4 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game.
Brown, another stellar freshman for the Bears, was selected by the Minnesota Timberwolves with the No. 48 overall pick in the second round, although multiple outlets are reporting that he has been traded to the Indiana Pacers.
"High-flying athlete, terrific in transition, explosive athleticism, plays above the rim, and he has shown to be a versatile defender." -@JayBilas on @TheeKbrown #SicEm | #CultureofJOY pic.twitter.com/j10tbjEFDf
— Baylor Men’s Basketball (@BaylorMBB) June 24, 2022
A 6-8, 205-pound guard out of Cottage Grove, Minnesota, Brown averaged 9.7 points, 4.9 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game.
Baylor senior James Akinjo was also in attendance, and although he was not picked up on Thursday night, he may now sign with any NBA team as an undrafted free agent.
A 6-1, 190-pound guard out of Oakland, California, Akinjo averaged 13.5 points, 5.8 assists and 2.8 rebounds per contest during the 2021-22 season.
With Thursday night's selections, the Bears now have 11 NBA Draft picks in the Scott Drew era: Ekpe Udoh (No. 6 in 2010), Perry Jones (No. 28 in 2012), Quincy Acy (No. 37 in 2012), Quincy Miller (No. 38 in 2012), Pierre Jackson (No. 42 in 2014), Cory Jefferson (No. 60 in 2014), Taurean Prince (No. 12 in 2017), Davion Mitchell (No. 9 in 2021), Jared Butler (No. 40 in 2021), Sochan (No. 9 in 2022) and Brown (No. 48 in 2022).
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Denton Ramsey has been a journalist for over 20 years with a decade of experience as a sports writer and editor for a plethora of newspapers throughout Texas and Alabama. Growing up in Houston and attending Baylor University, Ramsey is a die-hard sports fan with a true passion for writing. He may be reached via email at denton.itb@gmail.com