SAN ANTONIO — As the San Antonio Spurs look to improve and make their way out of the rebuild, so does forward Jeremy Sochan, who is looking to make strides entering his third season.
In sum, he believes he has a lot to prove.
“I’m feeling good. I’m excited. It’s going to be my third year, and I feel like I’ve got a lot to show," he said to Hero Magazine.
Aside from a failed experiment at point guard last season, Sochan's areas of improvement begin with three-point shooting.
In the NBA, spacing is needed, especially for Victor Wembanyama to operate.
Sochan shot 31% from the three-point line last season. A marked improvement from his rookie season (25%) but he still needs to get better heading into year three.
His overall shooting can also use some improvement. Last season, he connected at 41% shooting, which dropped from his rookie season (46%).
If he can connect consistently from the field, it would open up the floor, making him a threat and a game-changer, especially in the pick-and-roll.
His one-armed free throw shot helped at the charity line, but he'll need to work on consistency. He shot 79% from the free throw line last season and is trending in the right direction after shooting 66% in his rookie season.
Since he is a veteran on the roster, becoming a vocal leader could elevate his game and his teammates.
Defensively, he remains one of the better defenders on the roster.
Among sophomore players last season, he ranked fourth in deflections (1.8), second on contested shots (4.3), and third in contested three-point shots (2.7).
Of course, improvement will make Sochan a more valued player, but he also extends the need to improve for the team overall.
He points to adding Chris Paul and Harrison Barnes as keys to helping the team improve and get more wins next season.
"I think our team does, too. We’ve got some older guys who I think will help us, [and we need to] evolve and keep winning," he said.
It's not just Sochan that will look to build on their young career.
To close last season, Devin Vassell noted he'd like to develop more chemistry with Wembanyama and the rest of his teammates. Tre Jones said he wants to work on his shooting and leadership, while Keldon Johnson liked the team's positive steps to end last season and carry them over into the new one.
“Continue to try to lead more and more every day. I know that my main role on this team is to be a leader for us on the court," Jones said. "Then obviously my three-point shot. I'm continuing to try to improve that, getting more confidence and taking more of those.”
Said Vassell: "Being able to create for others has been my biggest thing."
Overall, the Spurs' future is bright. Whether collectively or individually, the team may be in the rebuild phase, but step-by-step, the goal of returning to a perennial winning team is closer.
"You know, build that winning culture," said Sochan.