NBA Draft: Grading every first-round pick after rookie year

9. San Antonio Spurs – Jeremy Sochan, Baylor

Jeremy Sochan was a popular sleeper pick to go in the Top 10 on draft night, until the days right before the draft when suddenly that seemed like an eventuality as teams fell in love with his defensive and playmaking upside. It was the San Antonio Spurs who took the plunge, taking him off the board with the ninth pick.

All of that love was absolutely warranted, as Sochan looks like a special player. At 6’9″ with a 100-foot wingspan (measurement approximate) he profiles as an elite perimeter defender as well as a weakside shot-blocker. If that was the entire report he would be an intriguing player, but he also showed off even more offensive upside than expected.

The Spurs gave him plenty of on-ball opportunities and Sochan showed tremendous growth over the course of the season as a scorer and playmaker. If the shot ever comes around, he’ll be an All-Star; he might get there anyway, and jumping head in the timeline, his fit next to Victor Wembanyama is imminently exciting. With the exception of Jalen Williams, no one who went later in the draft would deserve to leap Sochan in a redraft. Excellent pick by the Spurs.

Grade: A