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Jeremy Sochan dunks against the New York Knicks.
Former San Antonio Spurs forward Jeremy Sochan wasted little time signaling his excitement about joining the New York Knicks.
Shortly after news broke that he plans to sign with New York following his release from San Antonio, the 22-year-old posted a video on social media showing a rain-soaked man in Times Square passionately singing along to Jay-Z’s Empire State of Mind — a clear nod to his impending move to Madison Square Garden.
“In New York (ayy, ah-ha) (uh, yeah)
Concrete jungle (yeah) where dreams are made of
There’s nothin’ you can’t do (yeah) (okay)
Now you’re in New York”
The moment underscored the significance of the opportunity for Sochan, who is seeking a fresh start after a difficult final stretch with the Spurs.
Knicks Beat Crowded Field to Land Sochan
ESPN’s Shams Charania reported Thursday that Sochan chose the Knicks among 10 interested teams after San Antonio agreed to release him.
“Sochan will sign a rest-of-season deal and give the Knicks a young, athletic wing with versatility and size,” Charania reported. “He averaged 10.4 points, 5.6 rebounds and 25.3 minutes across 212 games for the Spurs and was a two-time Rising Stars participant as a rookie and sophomore.”
The Knicks had targeted Sochan before the trade deadline, but discussions stalled when San Antonio showed no interest in taking back Guerschon Yabusele, who carried a player option for next season at the time.
When no trade materialized and the Spurs pivoted, New York remained positioned to strike once Sochan hit the waiver market after their smart maneuvering at the deadline.
Spurs Demotion Sparked Turning Point
Sochan’s exit from San Antonio followed his removal from the Spurs’ regular rotation in the final months of the season — a development that caught him off guard.
In a candid interview in January, Sochan acknowledged the emotional toll of the demotion, which led to a trade request and ultimately his release.
“I’m not going to lie to you and say it was rainbows and sunshine all day,” Sochan told reporters at the time. “There’s been moments where it’s very hard. I’ve been in the league for four years and this is kind of the first time where this has happened to me.”
Despite the setback, Sochan framed the moment as part of a longer personal journey defined by resilience and adaptation.
“I can think of all the excuses, why and the reasons,” he said. “But at the end of the day, it’s important for me to remember who I am.”
Fresh Start Rooted in Perspective
Sochan, who left home at age 15 to pursue basketball opportunities, emphasized how meaningful his four-year run in San Antonio had been, even as it ended on difficult terms.
“When I think about my whole life, I’ve been moving all over the place,” he said. “This is the first time I’ve been somewhere for more than a year since then. And it’s been four years. I feel like I put a lot of blood, sweat and tears into this city. I’m going to put all of that into wherever I am.”
Now, that effort will be directed toward New York, where Sochan joins a Knicks team firmly in the championship conversation and deep along the wing.
Opportunity Opens as Knicks Navigate Injuries
Sochan’s arrival comes at a pivotal moment for the Knicks, who have been without OG Anunoby for four straight games due to a toenail avulsion.
In Anunoby’s absence, head coach Mike Brown has leaned on rookie Mohamed Diawara, who delivered an impressive defensive showing in Boston earlier this week and followed it up with a strong performance in Wednesday’s 138–89 rout of the Philadelphia 76ers.
Diawara finished that win with 14 points, five rebounds, two assists and a steal, continuing to build his case for minutes.
If Anunoby remains sidelined, Sochan will have an immediate opportunity to compete for rotation time, offering the Knicks another versatile defender capable of guarding multiple positions.
For Sochan, the challenge is clear — earn trust, carve out a role and prove that his next chapter can be defined not by how his time in San Antonio ended, but by how his career in New York begins.
Alder Almo is a sports journalist covering the NBA for Heavy.com. He has more than 20 years of experience in local and international media, including broadcast, print and digital. He previously covered the Knicks for Empire Sports Media and the NBA for Off the Glass. Alder is from the Philippines and is now based in Jersey City, New Jersey. More about Alder Almo
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