Jeremy Sochan set to represent Poland in FIBA OQT, Podziemski doubtful

Two years ago, the Polish national team pulled off arguably the greatest upset in EuroBasket history. This year, they might receive help from the NBA.

Points this season

San Antonio Spurs forward-turned-guard Jeremy Sochan is willing to represent Poland, and there are few obstacles for him to achieve it, the Polish Basketball Federation announced.

Director of the national team, Lukasz Koszarek, and Denver Nuggets scout, Rafal Juc, recently visited Sochan in San Antonio and directly discussed the matter with the player and the Spurs organization.

"Although no final declaration has been made, because it's not that time yet, we believe that we are very close to reaching an agreement. Jeremy wants to play for the national team, for Poland, and he really wants to fight for the Olympic Games. However, not everything depends on him," Koszarek said.

"We have expressed our willingness to cooperate with the Spurs in every aspect so that Jeremy can join the squad in the summer. Of course, there are some conditions that I don't want to talk about yet," the operative revealed. "I can reveal that the most important thing will be Jeremy's health. This is the key that will help us and him open new doors."

Sochan has already played for Poland at the senior level in 2021, so there won't be any difficulties neither for him nor for the federation to bring him to the Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Valencia, Spain.

Golden State Warriors guard Brandin Podziemski has also expressed his interest in representing the Polish national team. However, there will be additional difficulties in acquiring his services.

His grandfather is Polish, which could accelerate the process of acquiring a Polish passport. However, the player himself wasn't ready to fully commit to the process.

"Brandin himself, whom we also met, did not want to declare anything. Of course, we fully understand this. Brandin is keenly interested in what is happening around him, but he is aware that it is only his first year playing in the NBA, and he simply needs time," Koszarek said.

"His career has gained momentum in recent months. There is a lot of noise around him, and you need peace to make a decision. We agreed that our contacts would be cyclical, just like in the case of Jeremy. We wish both players good luck and keep our fingers crossed that they stay healthy," the Polish national team's operative concluded.

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