Inside The Spurs

Could Spurs' Jeremy Sochan Contend for DPOY?

Jeremy Sochan showed out in his rookie season on all fronts, and despite not being the Spurs’ “best prospect,” he can certainly prove his worth on the young team in other ways.

Matt Guzman

Could Spurs' Jeremy Sochan Contend for DPOY?
Could Spurs' Jeremy Sochan Contend for DPOY? /
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Jeremy Sochan may not be the best player on the San Antonio Spurs, but he's certainly among them — which is saying a lot for a rookie. 

Yes, coach Gregg Popovich's squad is young. Yes, there is a lot to improve on from last season, but there's also plenty of positives to take into this upcoming season, and Sochan excelled at arguably the most important one: defense. 

From day one, Sochan made clear how important it was to play defense and be good at it, stating that he "prided himself" on it after just one preseason game. It isn't just talk, however. Last season, the rookie averaged 0.4 blocks and 0.8 steals per game — in just 56 contests — and proved himself as a true two-way player. 

But even with his strong defensive showing and clear offensive talent, he still isn't the Spurs' "top prospect." And if things continue to trend in the way they have, he likely won't be, but that's not to say he won't make some noise around the league.

"If there's any downside to teaming up with Wembanyama, it's that a ranking like this will never put you on the top rung," Bleacher Report wrote in its "Top-3 Most Promising Prospects" ranking. "Sochan could easily hold down that spot for a number of other teams, though, as a 6'9" playmaker with Defensive Player of the Year potential."

Defensive Player of the Year? For Sochan? 

It's possible, especially if the rising second-year forward continues to develop his game — and play more of them — in his second season with San Antonio. It may not happen next season, but the idea is something to keep watch for. Sochan has already drawn comparisons to Dennis Rodman, after all — and not just for his hair. 

Sochan crashes the boards with an aggressiveness that makes the comparison make sense. His defense-first mindset only adds to that, and he backs it up on the court. But he’ll need more than just the mindset and a rookie-year showing to join some of the league’s top defenders on the DPOY ladder. 

And that’s exactly what he hopes to do in his second season with the Spurs.

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Matt Guzman
MATT GUZMAN

Matt Guzman is a sports journalist and storyteller from Austin, Texas. He serves as a credentialed reporter and site manager for San Antonio Spurs On SI and a staff writer for multiple collegiate sites in the same network. In the world of professional sports, he is a firm believer that athletes are people, too, and intends to tell stories of players and teams’ true, behind-the-scenes character that otherwise would not be seen through strong narrative writing, hooking ledes and passionate words.

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