Baylor freshman forward Jeremy Sochan has decided to enter the 2022 NBA draft and will forgo his remaining NCAA eligibility by hiring representation, he tells Jonathan Givony of ESPN. According to Givony, Sochan will sign with Jim Tanner and Deirunas Visockas of Tandem Sports.
Sochan only started one of his 30 games in his first and only college season, but made an impact off the bench, averaging 9.2 PPG, 6.4 RPG, and 1.3 SPG in 25.1 minutes per contest and earning Big 12 Sixth Man of the Year honors. Sochan, who won’t turn 19 until next month, also established himself as one of the best defenders at the college level, says Givony.
Although Baylor claimed a No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament, the Bears didn’t last long, having been eliminated in the second round by North Carolina. Despite the disappointing end to his season, Sochan made a strong impression on NBA scouts and projects as a potential lottery pick, according to Givony, who ranks him No. 13 on ESPN’s big board.
“I always knew that I’ll be in the NBA, whether it took one year or four,” Sochan said, adding that he’s looking forward to showing teams how mature his game is for his age. “I have my own game that takes from many different players and positions. Some players that I think I can learn a lot from are Mikal Bridges, Bam Adebayo, Draymond Green, Jaylen Brown, Aaron Gordon, Boris Diaw, just to name a few.”
Sochan is the third Baylor prospect to declare for this year’s draft, joining teammates Kendall Brown and James Akinjo.
Disappointing as a Baylor fan and alum. Sochan could have learned a lot more from Coach Drew and is still raw – he has a lot of development to go on the offensive side – but when you’re 19 and projected at the back end of the lottery, can’t blame him for taking the money and the guaranteed NBA roster spot while it is staring him in the face.
A player learns more playing in the NBA than remaining in college.
A quick scout on him shows he’s a good rebounder and great defender. His steal rate is elite for a big. He’s a capable passer for a big. He’s a terrible shooter. Let’s see how he measures at the combine.
Not true at all dude. Thinking like that has ruined the college game
Baylor guys have been slow to find their spot in the NBA, at least compared to expectations (mine anyway, after that slick title drive). Mitchell & Butler were only ranked 58 & 95 in their age class.
So far the best player for HC Drew/Baylor is Royce ONeill.