Last weekend, NBA 3X returned to London, taking over Clapham Common basketball courts for a weekend of tournaments, tricks and dunks, inviting local people to watch and get involved. Bringing some star power to the event, San Antonio NBA star Jeremy Sochan was in town getting involved – quite literally, being lept over and used as an assist in the men’s dunking contest. “It’s good to see the energy, the culture,” Sochan tells us of the NBA 3X event, “I think it’s something that needs to be amped up in English basketball culture and these are great opportunities.”

Born in the United States to a Polish mother and an American father, Sochan was raised in England, where he began his basketball career playing for Milton Keynes and Southampton. Through this, he’s seen the sport grow in the country. “It’s definitely developing and going the right way,” Sochan says. “Unfortunately, you know, the stuff with the BBL [British Basketball League] didn’t work out [in June 2024, British Basketball’s governing body terminated the league’s licence], but there’s another league happening. I think it’s important to keep giving kids basketballs and let it grow like that.”

While Sochan’s 2023/2024 season – his second for the San Antonio Spurs – was unfortunately cut short due to injury, he’s back fit, ready to hit the court and push his team to a championship-winning campaign. “I’m feeling good,” he tells us, “I’m excited. It’s going to be my third year and I feel like I’ve got a lot to show, and I think our team does too. We’ve got some older guys who I think will help us, [and we need to] evolve and keep winning. You know, build that winning culture.” But before that, Sochan has the small matter of travelling to Paris for the Olympics with the Poland International Basketball Team in search of a medal finish.

Follow NBA 3X events here.