Checking in on Spurs who’re making ready for the Olympics

We’ve hit an uncommon lull within the free company negotiating interval not only for the Spurs, however the NBA as an entire. Because of this, I assumed it will be enjoyable to take a break from, effectively, ready and check out how some Spurs are doing abroad as they prepare and put together for the 2024 Paris Olympics qualifiers (which started immediately). That features Jeremy Sochan with Poland, Sandro Mamukelashvili with Georgia, and Juan Nunez with Spain.

Right here is Sochan in a scrimmage in opposition to the Philippines a number of days in the past, enjoying some small ball heart and patiently ready for a post-up earlier than throwing down a reverse dunk.

Nonetheless, one thing has modified within the days since: his hair!

From each coloration within the rainbow his rookie yr, to extra refined colours with quantity and now cornrows. Will he persist with the brand new look, or will there be yet one more model of Sochan when he checks in for coaching camp in September? Time will inform!

As for Mamu, who was prolonged a qualifying provide by the Spurs, making him a present restricted free agent, he spent this afternoon (or night, in his case) enjoying in opposition to Latvia within the Latvia Event of the qualifiers. Right here he’s slicing by means of the Latvian protection for a slam over former Spur Davis Bertans.

Sadly, Georgia misplaced its event opener 83-55, so that they’re already behind of their quest to make it to Paris.

I haven’t discovered any highlights of Nunez with Spain from current days, however they’re at present enjoying Lebanon within the Spain Event and had been up 50-31 at halftime, whereas he recorded 2 factors, 2 rebounds and a couple of assists coming off the bench.

If you would like extra data on the Olympic qualifying tournaments, click on right here. (In contrast to the Tokyo Olympics, there are not any Spurs enjoying for Staff USA — though Derrick White has been listed as a possible harm substitute for, drumroll, Kawhi Leonard ought to he not be wholesome sufficient to play.)

Lastly, there’s Victor Wembanyama. As a result of France has already certified because the host nation, they’ve merely been coaching, however Wemby has appeared a lot good doing it, together with hitting threes of each selection (step again, spot up, and so on.), putback slams, and a few good strikes in submit. Positive, it’s simply observe, however he nonetheless seems to be a lot smoother than this time a yr in the past. As onerous as it might be to think about, a big sophomore leap may be very potential.

Oh, and in the event you ask Sidy Cissoko, who’s at present in San Antonio practising forward of Summer time League (and sure, his knee is ok), Wemby continues to be rising. Be careful, world.