Checking in on Spurs who are preparing for the Olympics

We have hit an unusual lull in the free agency negotiating period not just for the Spurs, but the NBA as a whole. As a result, I thought it would be fun to take a break from, well, waiting and take a look at how some Spurs are doing overseas as they train and prepare for the 2024 Paris Olympics qualifiers (which began today). That includes Jeremy Sochan with Poland, Sandro Mamukelashvili with Georgia, and Juan Nunez with Spain.

Here is Sochan in a scrimmage against the Philippines a few days ago, playing some small ball center and patiently waiting for a post-up before throwing down a reverse dunk.

However, something has changed in the days since: his hair!

From every color in the rainbow his rookie year, to more subtle colors with volume and now cornrows. Will he stick with the new look, or will there be yet another version of Sochan when he checks in for training camp in September? Time will tell!

As for Mamu, who was extended a qualifying offer by the Spurs, making him a current restricted free agent, he spent this afternoon (or evening, in his case) playing against Latvia in the Latvia Tournament of the qualifiers. Here he is slicing through the Latvian defense for a slam over former Spur Davis Bertans.

Unfortunately, Georgia lost its tournament opener 83-55, so they’re already behind in their quest to make it to Paris.

I haven’t found any highlights of Nunez with Spain from recent days, but they are currently playing Lebanon in the Spain Tournament and were up 50-31 at halftime, while he recorded 2 points, 2 rebounds and 2 assists coming off the bench.

If you want more information on the Olympic qualifying tournaments, click here. (Unlike the Tokyo Olympics, there are no Spurs playing for Team USA — although Derrick White has been listed as a potential injury replacement for, drumroll, Kawhi Leonard should he not be healthy enough to play.)

Finally, there’s Victor Wembanyama. Because France has already qualified as the host nation, they have merely been training, but Wemby has looked plenty good doing it, including hitting threes of every variety (step back, spot up, etc.), putback slams, and some nice moves in post. Sure, it’s just practice, but he still looks so much smoother than this time a year ago. As hard as it may be to imagine, a large sophomore leap is very possible.

Oh, and if you ask Sidy Cissoko, who is currently in San Antonio practicing ahead of Summer League (and yes, his knee is fine), Wemby is still growing. Watch out, world.