Jeremy Sochan Comparison?

Following an excellent rookie campaign from Jeremy Sochan where he showcase his skillset and his overall future two-way potential, three key elements about him and his game stood out, to me:

1. His solid skills when finishing at the basket
2. His overall versatile defense and mobility when switching, to go with his ability to take on virtually any role defensively, and his per-36 minutes on defense of 1.1 steals per game and 0.6 blocks per game reflect this, to a degree
3. His advanced basketball IQ and solid feel for the game of basketball

Given this info, in the 2022-23 NBA season, this was Jeremy Sochan’s statline from his rookie year:

**11** ppg, **5.3** rpg, **2.5** apg, **0.8** spg, **0.4** bpg on **45.3%** percent from the field, **24.6%** from three, and **69.8%** from the free-throw line playing 26 minutes per game

On that note, in the 2001-02 NBA season, this was Andrei Kirilenko’s statline from his rookie year:

**10.7** ppg, **4.9** rpg, **1.1** apg, **1.4** spg, **1.9** bpg on **45.0%** percent from the field, **25.0%** from three, and **76.8%** from the free-throw line playing 26 minutes per game

Moreover, comparing their physicals:

**Jeremy Sochan**: 6’8″ 230-lb forward with a 7’0″ wingspan

**Andrei Kirilenko**: 6’9″ 235-lb forward with a 7’4″ wingspan

Comparisons are never perfect. Andrei Kirilenko’s steals’ and blocks’ average were higher than that of Jeremy Sochan’s, but Jeremy Sochan’s points’, rebounds’, and assists’ averages exceed that of Andrei Kirilenko’s. Andrei Kirilenko was also slightly older during his rookie year on the Jazz compared to Jeremy Sochan when he just completed his rookie year this past season on the Spurs. However, the shooting splits, minutes, and overall numbers do display many similarities, all in all. Moreover, Andrei Kirilenko is slightly taller and bigger than Jeremy Sochan, and their respective wingspans also further reflect this. Based on their respective rookie seasons, it appears as though Kirilenko was ahead defensively but Sochan also owns certain strengths as a passer, as well.

Andrei Kirilenko went on to make three NBA All-Defensive teams over the course of his basketball career, with one All-Defensive 1st team appearance and two All-Defensive 2nd team appearances. He also went on to lead the NBA in blocks per game in 2005 and was an All-Star in the 2003-04 NBA season, for the Jazz. Andrei Kirilenko was also the first player ever in NBA history to record 6 steals and 7 blocks in a game. He also achieved two 5 x 5 games in his NBA career, a phenomenon which has only occurred 22 times ever in NBA history. Andrei Kirilenko has done this twice. Here are some of his defensive highlights:

[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PCZBWwlWJHk](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PCZBWwlWJHk)

Does this overall comparison make sense? If Jeremy Sochan lives up to this potential comparison of Andrei Kirilenko as he already looks to be a solid and versatile defender going forward, then a frontcourt of Jeremy Sochan and Victor Wembanyama will be extremely special defensively. It would be extremely tough to score against that type of frontcourt if this happens. Moreover, just like how Andrei Kirilenko progressed after his rookie year, Jeremy Sochan is also in the developmental stage of his NBA career, as of right now.

Therefore, do the Spurs have the young and modern version of AK-47 or Andrei Kirilenko 2.0 on their current roster? Please share your overall thoughts and I appreciate feedback in this regard. Does this comparison make sense?

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[Original Jeremy Sochan?](https://preview.redd.it/bq0m0s720fcb1.png?width=652&format=png&auto=webp&s=1b1376c5315c0f77b9f75cb25f29f1155f76ac9b)

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by vishjay101