The San Antonio Spurs announced some concerning news for their young star Jeremy Sochan on Tuesday. The 21-year-old forward suffered a fracture in the proximal phalanx of his left thumb during Monday’s 113-104 loss to the LA Clippers. Sochan is now scheduled to have surgery on his thumb later this week.
Sochan, the 9th overall pick in the 2022 NBA draft out of Baylor, has been one of the bright spots for the rebuilding Spurs this season. He was averaging career-highs of 15.4 points, 7.7 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.0 steal per game while playing 29.3 minutes a night before the injury.
Impact on the Spurs
The loss of Sochan for any significant amount of time would be a tough blow for a young Spurs team that is already struggling. San Antonio currently sits at the bottom of the Western Conference standings with a 3-7 record. They were counting on Sochan to be a key piece of their future as they navigate the post-Gregg Popovich era.
Jeremy has been one of our most consistent players this season. His energy and versatility are a big part of what we’re trying to build here. We’re hoping for a speedy recovery and can’t wait to have him back on the court.
– Statement from a Spurs team source
Road to Recovery
The Spurs did not announce a timeline for Sochan’s return following the surgery announcement. Rehab and recovery time for a fractured thumb can vary depending on the severity of the break and whether there was any ligament damage. A typical range is anywhere from 4-8 weeks.
In Sochan’s absence, look for other young Spurs like Devin Vassell, Keldon Johnson and Josh Primo to step up and take on expanded roles. Veterans like Doug McDermott and Josh Richardson may also see an uptick in minutes as head coach Brett Brown shuffles the rotation.
Promising Potential
Despite the disappointing news, Spurs fans should still be excited about Sochan’s future with the franchise. At 6’9″ with a 7′ wingspan, he has the size and length to be a versatile defender. He’s flashed the ability to guard multiple positions, protect the rim, and cause havoc in passing lanes.
On offense, Sochan is a good ball-handler and passer for his size. He’s still developing as an outside shooter but has a nice touch around the basket. With his physical tools and budding skill set, Sochan projects as the type of modern forward that every NBA team covets.
- Through 10 games, Sochan leads all rookies in rebounds per game (7.7)
- His 15.4 points per game ranks 5th among rookies
- Sochan was one of only two rookies (Paolo Banchero) averaging at least 15 points, 7 rebounds and 3 assists
The 9th pick is off to an impressive start to his NBA career and giving Spurs fans reason for optimism about the future, even as the team finds itself in unfamiliar territory near the bottom of the standings. The hope is that this thumb injury is just a minor blip and that Sochan will come back strong to continue his development.
For a proud franchise like the Spurs who are used to contending for championships, going through a rebuild is never easy. But if Sochan can reach his lofty potential, he could be a centerpiece that helps lead the Spurs back to prominence sooner than later. For now though, the focus is on a successful surgery and smooth recovery process for the talented rookie forward.
