9. San Antonio Spurs: Jeremy Sochan, forward, Baylor
Disruptive. Defender. That’s what a team is getting when they draft the Baylor Bears product. The Big 12 Sixth Man of the Year can guard any position with a wingspan over seven feet and quickness that jumps off the page. The way that he came into Scott Drew’s program and carved out the role of being the stopper for the Bears was really impressive. He doesn’t take a play off on that end of the floor, and it would not be a surprise at all to see him emerge as an All-NBA Defensive Team selection down the road.
The downside to Sochan? He’s not a shooter. He has the quickness to beat a defender, but a concern could be that a team packs it in when he gets the ball on the perimeter. That said, his fingerprints are all over a game when he’s on the floor, and to stand at 6-foot-9 and switch on anybody defensively carries so much value in today’s NBA.
This is a very on-brand pick by San Antonio. Jeremy Sochan will never lack effort and never takes a play off defensively. His offense? It’s raw. But, the Spurs need frontcourt pieces and with their coaching staff, the developmental fit for Sochan is fascinating. They have Dejounte Murray and backcourt depth. Sochan addresses the top need for San Antonio. Grade: A-
By the numbers: Averaged 9.2 points and 6.4 rebounds per game this past season. Became the youngest player in Polish Men’s National Team history when he played for the team in 2021.
20. San Antonio Spurs (via Toronto Raptors): Malaki Branham, guard, Ohio State
Branham is a big-time shot-maker and it’s why he ended up being a one-and-done player in Columbus. The hometown kid showed in his year with the Buckeyes that he possesses a lethal midrange game containing a quick release. He also was comfortable drilling tough shots and finishing at the rim in the physical Big Ten. The issues with Branham? He needs to mature physically. At the moment, he’s 180 pounds.
Branham is a big-time shot-maker and it’s why he ended up being a one-and-done player in Columbus. The hometown kid showed in his year with the Buckeyes that he possesses a lethal midrange game containing a quick release. He also was comfortable drilling tough shots and finishing at the rim in the physical Big Ten. The issues with Branham? He needs to mature physically. At the moment, he’s 180 pounds.
This is a "best available talent" pick over it being a perfect fit for San Antonio, which is okay. Branham’s lack of defensive ability and explosiveness means that he has to develop under the Spurs staff, which is very much in play. The scoring punch he can add to this team is why he makes sense. There are several questions for him to answer in terms of strength, though. Grade: B
By the numbers: Set an OSU freshman record for points in a Big Ten game, scoring 35 points in the overtime win at Nebraska in January.
25. San Antonio Spurs (via Boston Celtics): Blake Wesley, guard, Notre Dame
Wesley is an interesting prospect because he only scratched the surface of what he could be in a year at Notre Dame. He has explosiveness on the drive and a handle that could allow him to become a multidimensional scorer in the league. But he needs to get stronger.
Athleticism is not a question. He has a 6-foot-9 wingspan and an 8-foot-7 standing reach, which is a really strong result in that category. The issue with him is not being able to find separation but to be able to take well to contact and finish. Additionally, he only shot 30% from three this past season.
The value and pick at No. 25 is good for the Spurs to be able to get Wesley. He’s another project, but the explosiveness and athletic ability are promising. What he ends up being comes down to the shot, but seeing the selection of Wesley following Branham shows San Antonio’s collective goal of adding scoring guards. Grade: A-
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