Jeremy Sokan expresses love for Popovich after Popovich steps as head coach

Jeremy Sokan expressed his love for Popovich after Greg Popovich stepped down as head coach of the San Antonio Spurs.

Greg Popovich is about to step down after nearly 30 years as head coach of the San Antonio Spurs, which has sparked strong reactions from many fans, media and players, including current Spurs forward Jeremy Sokan.

Sorsan has been playing for Popovich and the Spurs since he was selected in 2022. He posted on X (formerly Twitter) to express his gratitude to the former coach: "Love you, Coach Bobo! ❤️"

The Spurs selected Sopovich with the ninth pick in the first round of the 2022 draft, and he immediately became the focus of Popovich. In Saushan's second season, Popovich appointed the 6-foot-8-inch player (about 1.93 meters) as the Spurs' starting point guard. It was difficult for Sochung to adapt to this role, and he and Popovich were also criticized for this "experiment", but Popovich persisted for several months, and Sochung eventually averaged 3.4 assists that season.

Sochung also benefited from Popovich's performance at the free throw line. In December 2022, after Sochamp succeeded in one-handed shooting training under the guidance of Spurs assistant coach Brett Brown, Popovich encouraged him to try a one-handed free throw. In the first 24 games of his career, Sochung's free throw percentage was 42.9%. Since then, Sochung has shot more than 78% of free throws as a rookie, with an average shooting percentage of 69.8% in the season. Although his free throw percentage fell below 70% last season, his free throw percentage reached 77.1% in the 2023-24 season. Although Soshan is only 21 years old, he has been a key figure in the reconstruction of the Spurs over the past few years. He was selected for the second team of the All-Rookie Rookie in 2023 and has started in his career for nearly 150 games.

As for the 76-year-old Popovich, he transformed from coaching position to become the team's president, ending his coaching career for more than 50 years. In 1973, Popovich began working as an assistant coach at the Air Force Academy, alma mater. In 1979, he won his first head coaching position at Pomona Pitts High School in the California Division 3, and since then he has served as assistant coach for the University of Kansas Jayhawks, Golden State Warriors and Spurs.

Popovich served as an assistant coach of the Spurs for four seasons from 1988 to 1992, and returned to San Antonio in 1994 as general manager and vice president. He has appointed himself as the team’s head coach after 18 games in the 1996-97 season and has been in the position to this day, although he began taking leave in November 2024 due to health issues.

In his 29 seasons as head coach of the San Antonio Spurs, Popovich won a league record of 1,422 games and five NBA championships, tied for third in history.