Jeremy Sochan upbeat on Spurs’ future after Gregg Popovich exit as head coach

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Spurs forward Jeremy Sochan, who is visiting the country for an NBA event, calls former mentor Gregg Popovich the "best coach ever to live"

MANILA, Philippines – A vital part of the San Antonio Spurs’ rebuilding process in recent years, Jeremy Sochan keeps a positive outlook for the team despite the end of longtime head coach Gregg Popovich’s coaching career. 

But Sochan, who’s in Manila to headline the NBA Rising Stars Invitational Philippines this week, believes the Spurs’ future remains as bright as ever. 

“We’re building a team and we’re trending up. Every year has been better,” Sochan told reporters during his media availability at the NBA Philippines office in Taguig on Wednesday, May 7.

“I think as a team, we’ve matured. We’re making a lot of progress. I think we’re all super excited,” the 6-foot-9 forward added. 

The Spurs have built a formidable core of players bannered by 7-foot-3 wunderkind Victor Wembanyama along with All-Star guard De’Aaron Fox and newly crowned Rookie of the Year Stephon Castle. 

The team is also strapped with a mix of veterans in Chris Paul, Keldon Johnson, and Harrison Barnes. 

Known for their winning culture, the Spurs, however, will enter a new era next year as Popovich, who had coached the team for the past 29 years, stepped down as head tactician and is now the team’s president for basketball operations. 

Popovich guided the Spurs to five NBA championships and steered Team USA to an Olympic gold medal in 2021. 

For Sochan, Popovich — who suffered a stroke midseason and had to relegate head coaching duties to Mitch Johnson for most of the regular season — will always be an influential figure in the team. 

“I’m just happy that he is still a part of the organization, and he is still having some involvement in decisions, and just like culture and identity. I know he’s been working hard too in his recovery. So, it’s just a blessing to be around him and the organization,” Sochan said of Popovich, the NBA’s winningest coach. 

“Truly blessed and honored to be coached by someone who has the most wins in the NBA. You could say he is the best coach ever to live.”

Johnson became the team’s new head coach following Popovich’s reassignment as team president. 

Sochan was drafted ninth overall by the Spurs in 2022 and has since become one of the team’s most versatile players on their roster. While he is a natural forward, Sochan also played point guard for the team last season at the orders of Popovich at a time when the squad lacked floor generals. 

Sochan averaged 11.4 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 2.4 assists for the 2024-2025 season as the Spurs finished 13th in the Western Conference with a 34-48 record. 

Next season, Sochan expects the Spurs to reach the playoffs as they seek to snap a six-year postseason drought. 

“Next season, I think our goal is to make the playoffs and go as far as we can,” he said.

In doing so, Sochan hopes to remain a key part of the Spurs’ plans. 

“For me, it’s to keep developing, keep growing as a player, as a human, and just be a big part of the team. And just prove what I can do and stay consistent with it.” – Rappler.com