This summer has all about Victor Wembanyama for the San Antonio Spurs. They selected the 19-year-old Frenchman with the first pick in the 2023 NBA Draft. However, Wembanyama is far from the only player on the team. They have a great group of guys around him for fans to be excited about.
Devin Vassell is poised for a big season after missing the majority of last year, Keldon Johnson has a chance to follow up his best scoring year with another, and Tre Jones has a lot to prove after signing his new extension. However, San Antonio’s sophomores are perhaps the most intriguing guys on the roster.
In ESPN’s article about NBA “sophomores to watch” this season, Jeremy Sochan and Malaki Branham were both mentioned. Jamal Collier brought up Sochan as someone who could be poised for a breakout season.
“Jeremy Sochan shows promise for the San Antonio Spurs, especially with the added prospect of playing next to Wembanyama,” Collier wrote. “As a rookie, Sochan averaged 11 points and five rebounds while providing versatile defense. With more eyes on San Antonio this year and more opportunity to shine next to Wembanyama, Sochan has a chance to elevate himself among this class with a strong sophomore season.”
Meanwhile, Andrew Lopez labeled Branham as an “under-the-radar” pick to be a key contributor.
“It feels like everyone on San Antonio’s roster but Wemby is going to be under-the-radar, but one of last year’s three first-round picks, Malaki Branham, could be poised for a jump,” Lopez wrote. “In his final 25 games last season, Branham averaged 13.7 points and dropped 20 or more seven times in that stretch. Branham will give the Spurs a nice scoring option on the bench as the team tries to figure out its best combination of players around Wembanyama.”
Both players will have a chance to prove themselves with all the eyes that will inevitably be on the Spurs next season.
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