NBA Draft: Pacers contact Jeremy Sochan, Jake LaRavia impresses, Kai Sotto eyes history
Baylor standout Jeremy Sochan was supposed to work out for the Pacers on June 10 in preparation for Thursday's NBA Draft, but he never made it to Indiana due to a flight issue.
The 19-year-old said his flight was redirected, he got stuck in St. Louis and he wasn't able to reschedule with the Pacers. However, the team still made sure to contact Sochan, who was the 2022 Big 12 Sixth Man of the Year.
"I've been on Zoom calls with them," Sochan said Tuesday in a Zoom news conference. "I've been seen by their physician, their psychologist, so I feel like the interest is still there, and I can't wait to see what happens."
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Sochan, a 6-9 forward known for his defensive versatility, is not a player the Pacers would draft sixth overall. However, if Indiana was to trade veteran point guard Malcolm Brogdon to Washington or New York — two teams The Athletic's Shams Charania reported have interest in Brogdon — for the the No. 10 or 11 pick, respectively, then Sochan could be a strong option for them.
Sochan, who was born in Oklahoma but grew up in England, averaged 9.2 points and 6.4 rebounds per game during his lone season at Baylor.
Prior to college, he was high school teammates with Purdue star Jaden Ivey for one season at Indiana prep powerhouse La Lumiere. Ivey was a 2022 consensus second-team All-American and is projected as a top-five pick.
"We're good friends, we're close," Sochan said. " ... It's funny because back then he wasn't highly recruited, I wasn't really highly recruited. We knew our abilities, so I think that's what's the most important, but I'm happy for him and I'm really excited (to see) where he's gonna go."
Jake LaRavia has first-round talent
Lawrence Central alum Jake LaRavia, a former Indiana All-Star, has had a meteoric rise over the last few years.
The 6-8 forward played two seasons at Indiana State before transferring to Wake Forest, and after a breakout junior campaign for the Deacons, he's now projected as a late first-round pick.
"It's been crazy. It changed so quick," LaRavia said Monday after working out for the Pacers. "I was just at Indiana State two years ago, knowing that this could happen but it wasn't really real yet. But this past year made it real for me and it's just been exciting ever since."
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LaRavia averaged career-highs of 14.6 points and 6.6 rebounds per game while shooting a career-high 38.4% on 3s during the 2021-22 season. The 20-year-old said he's done 16 draft workouts, including visits to Denver, Minnesota and San Antonio, per HoopsHype.
ESPN draft analyst Jonathan Givony spoke highly of LaRavia during a Zoom news conference Wednesday. The Indianapolis native is predicted to go 28th overall to the reigning champion Warriors in Givony's mock draft.
"I think he's done a really good job in workouts, separating himself from the pack and showing people the role he could play as a 6-foot-8, multi-positional wing/forward who can shoot the 3, has a very good feel for the game, can pass the ball, brings good intensity on the defensive end," Givony said. " ... Played three years of college basketball, but he's only 20 years old. ... and so people say, 'Hey, there might be some more upside left to tap into.'"
Kai Sotto could make history
A homegrown player from the Philippines has never been selected in the NBA Draft.
Kai Sotto could be the first.
The Pacers hosted the 7-2 center, who previously played for the G League Ignite and most recently for the Adelaide 36ers in Australia's National Basketball League, during their last draft workout Tuesday. Sotto said he's also worked out for the Bulls, Cavs, Clippers, Hawks, Kings, Knicks and Magic.
"It means so much to me and to my fellow Filipinos," Sotto said of the possibility of being drafted. "The biggest goal for me is to make it to the NBA, but when I look at the bigger picture — the biggest picture — I want to make it to the NBA to serve as an example and inspiration to the younger players, younger athletes back home in the Philippines.
"If they can say, 'If Kai can make it, so can I,' that's a dream come true."
Sotto averaged 7.6 points and 4.5 rebounds while shooting 50.8% in 23 games for Adelaide. The 20-year-old said he models his game after two-time NBA champ and former Rookie of the Year Pau Gasol.
"A 7-footer who can pass, who can score and also has a high basketball IQ, so I try to watch and learn from him, so I would say those are my advantages," Sotto said. "I just have to get stronger, faster and more athletic."
Follow IndyStar Pacers beat writer James Boyd on Twitter: @RomeovilleKid. Reach him via email: jboyd1@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Pacers evaluate Jeremy Sochan, Jake LaRavia, Kai Sotto for NBA Draft
