Spurs’ Rookies Finding Footing With All-Star Break in Sight

After drafting three first round picks in the 2022 NBA Draft, the San Antonio Spurs are starting to get some production from their trio.

After drafting three first round picks in the 2022 NBA Draft, the San Antonio Spurs didn’t get a ton of production from their newest class in the early stretch of the season. But with just days until the All-Star break, the Spurs’ rookies have begun to find their footing.

So far they’ve been led by former Baylor forward Jeremy Sochan, who was drafted ninth overall. Sochan has seen significantly more opportunity in recent games and he’s made the most of it.

In his last 10 games, Sochan is averaging 15.8 points, 4.8 rebounds and 3.4 assists while shooting 43 percent overall and 44 percent from beyond the arc.

At 6-foot-8, Sochan has become a legitimate matchup nightmare as the primary or secondary ball-handler and it seems for now that the Spurs have found another strong piece for their future.

But Sochan isn’t the only San Antonio rookie whose beginning to shine.

Malaki Branham, who saw a decent little slide on draft night despite getting plenty of lottery hype in the pre-draft process, is garnering more attention with his play.

On Friday night, Branham scored 27 points on 8-for-17 shooting, hitting half of his 3-point attempts and converting on seven of his 10 free throw attempts. He also tacked on five rebounds, two assists and two steals.

Branham was drafted at No. 20 overall, and is trailing Sochan with 13.0 points, 2.6 rebounds and 2.7 assists in his last 10 games.

San Antonio’s third first rounder, Blake Wesley, hasn’t found as much luck as the other two, but still has enough intriguing attributes to offer promise long-term.

The Spurs are back in action at 6:30 p.m. today against the Atlanta Hawks.

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