2022 NBA Draft: Who are the 10 best prospects in this draft class?
7. Jeremy Sochan – Baylor Bears
6-9 230 lbs. 7-0 WS
30 GP 9.2 ppg 6.4 rpg 1.3 spg 0.7 bpg 47.4 FG%
Shades of: OG Anunoby, Aaron Gordon
The swiss army knife of the draft. Jack of all trades whom any team will fall in love with. A player that epitomizes “role player” yet is still highly contributable in many aspects. You need someone that will get down and greasy in the trenches. Sochan can give you different looks (hair wise too) on both ends proving his versatile capabilities. Don’t let the stats fool you, Sochan if picked top-10 will justify his selection.
At the ripe age of 19, there is much to love projecting how Sochan will end up later in his career. From the already formed NBA body to the defensive intangibles to the effort every time he steps on the court. It’s something about these international players with some mass and skill work on them (i.e Luka Doncic and Nikola Jokic) that makes them successful come time to play in the league. Hailing out of Poland, Sochan has a distinct feel for making things happen on the court.
One of the best on-ball defenders in the class. Sochan moves well laterally, cutting off angles and opportunities. He positions himself well off of closeouts, limiting the chances for blow-bys. Opening up his hips to force the opposing ball-handler to shift direction. In the post, Sochan can hold his own by using his brute strength to hold firm. Discipline will be gained through outside development and more experience when it comes to ticky-tack fouls.
Sochan per 40 minutes averaged a combined 3.1 stocks, highlighting his ability to be a defensive stopper. Often engaged on defense with active hands. Combine the extensive reach and active motor. Opponents have trouble finding the opportunity to get the right look off on Sochan. Out of all the early entrants in the 2022 NBA Draft, he had the 6th best Defensive Box Plus-Minus (DBPM). To top that off, he managed to have an 89.8 defensive rating. All-in-all teams are going to covet his defensive motor come draft time.
Why so high with his ranking though, you may ask me.
Not only will I know I am getting a hard worker but I am getting someone who can take that offensive jump. Coming off the bench in a guard-happy system; opportunities to showcase the offensive abilities were limited. In 25 minutes he shot only 7 attempts total, about 3 from outside the arc, and 3 from the line— not enough sample size to really see him in an expansive offensive role. Consistency and efficiency will come with more reps and time.
His go-to offensive move is the turnaround to a floater or mid-range jumper. Utilizing his feathery footwork he’s able to get the look he wants. Getting opponents to guess the wrong way seems a thing of his game. Sochan is confident driving to the lane. His handle will need tuning up but you have to like the aggressiveness and confidence to make something out of the limited “bag”.
A contact finisher at heart and in theory, Sochan usually has a flight path to the rim. Finishing with style and power. Sochan converted 15 dunks in his lone freshman season at Baylor. At the rim in general he was around 61%. Sochan has good touch around the basket, which could be an indicator for future success in expanding past the paint area. The shot is functional, could use some work, but it is not broken. Sochan was willing to take what the defense gave him.
Sochan can grow in all areas of the court. He’s young, determined, and skillful. Buying him over other prospects due to his All-Defensive ceiling and great complementary role. In a pace and space era these types of players that can guard all 3-levels while also being somewhat competent on the offensive end have to be early lottery expectants.