San Antonio Spurs rookie Jeremy Sochan will forfeit his national basketball team duties for Poland this upcoming EuroBasket.
Sochan announced his intentions of staying in San Antonio to prepare for his first year in the NBA in what he claims as “the most important and longest season” of his young professional career.
As such, the Polish program accepted this decision of the lengthy big man.
“After long discussions with the San Antonio Spurs, my agent, and family, we decided that I would stay in San Antonio to continue preparing for my first season in the NBA – the most important and longest season of my career so far,” Sochan released in a statement, via BasketNews.
“I am only 19 years old and proper physical and mental preparation for at least 82 matches in the coming season is extremely important for my development – I hope to become an important element of Spurs and the Polish National Team for years.”
Sochan wasn’t able to participate in Poland’s recent exhibition games, which delivered initial assumptions that he won’t be able to suit up the proud colors of his nation this September.
Moving forward, it remains certain that he’ll be part of the club’s future endeavors. After all, he is the youngest player to join Poland’s senior basketball team, wherein he led with 18 markers and a crucial block against Romania in the 2022 EuroBasket Qualifiers last February.
Chosen as the ninth pick of the 2022 Draft, Sochan stands as a foundational gem of San Antonio’s looming rebuild. After not being able to play in the recent Summer League due to COVID-19 symptoms, his development and familiarity in the league will be pivotal in the post-glorious era of the franchise.
