Knicks Rookie Sends Message After Sochan Addition

The arrival of Jeremy Sochan has not rattled Mohamed Diawara. If anything, the New York Knicks rookie sees it as confirmation that the stakes — and expectations — have risen.

With the New York Knicks continuing to tinker with their rotation ahead of the postseason push, Diawara made it clear he is focused less on depth-chart politics and more on preparation.

“I’m just gonna continue what I was doing,” Diawara told The New York Post before Thursday’s 126–111 loss to the Detroit Pistons. “Keep working and being ready for each opportunity that I’m gonna get. I’m not worried about that. I know the coaching staff and the team is gonna do whatever is good for the team, and that’s what I’m trying to do.”

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Knicks Rookie’s Quiet Rise Before Roster Shakeup

Before Sochan entered the picture via the waiver market, Diawara had quietly carved out a role as a reliable two-way option behind OG Anunoby.

Over his eight games leading into the roster move, the 6-foot-9 Diawara averaged 6.8 points and 2.0 rebounds in 15.8 minutes per game, flashing exactly what the Knicks envisioned when they brought him along: length, defensive versatility and catch-and-shoot reliability.

During that stretch, Diawara, the 51st overall pick, knocked down 46.2 percent of his three-point attempts, averaging 3.3 tries per game. He punctuated that run with a 14-point performance against the Philadelphia 76ers just before the All-Star break, his most assertive offensive showing of the season.

Defense, however, has been the foundation of his case.

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Defensive Versatility Turns Heads

Diawara’s length and mobility were on display against the Boston Celtics, where opposing players shot just 3-of-9 when he was the primary defender. He paired that effort with 10 points on a perfect 4-of-4 shooting night in 27 minutes, signaling growth on both ends.

ESPN analyst Tim Legler took notice.

“He’s a really long wing,” Legler said on the All-NBA Podcast. “You can guard four or five different guys on the court because he’s strong, mobile, and has great length. I like this guy a lot.”

That combination — defensive adaptability with improving shooting — is precisely what makes Diawara’s development noteworthy as the Knicks load up for a deep playoff run.

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Knicks Coach Balances Youth and Experience

Before Sochan made his Knicks debut, head coach Mike Brown addressed how the competition might play out within his second unit.

“Mo’s had a good season so far,” Brown said via SNY’s Ian Begley. “As a young guy — as you guys know, I’ll play young guys and I have played young guys in front of vets before. But I’m going to give Jeremy an opportunity.

“They are going to get an opportunity,” Brown added. “But at the end of the day I’m going to play who I think is best for us.”

Brown acknowledged the urgency of the moment, noting that Sochan’s late arrival means decisions will come quickly as the playoffs approach.

“I have to see rather quickly what we have in him before going to the playoffs,” Brown said.

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Early Returns From Sochan’s Debut

In his Knicks debut, Sochan logged 10 minutes, finishing with two points, one assist, one steal and one block. Diawara, meanwhile, played nine minutes, contributing two rebounds, one assist and one steal.

Sochan showed flashes defensively, limiting Pistons star Cade Cunningham to 1-of-3 shooting when matched up against him, according to NBA.com’s matchup tracking data. The lone make, however, was a step-back three — the dagger — after the Knicks had trimmed the deficit to 109–97 late in the fourth quarter.

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A Different Situation, Same Opportunity

Sochan’s path to New York came after his removal from the regular rotation with the San Antonio Spurs, but he insisted the move represents an opportunity, not a setback.

“One of the reasons why I picked New York is it’s a very deep roster with a lot of really talented players,” Sochan said after his first practice. “I think it’s a pretty cool opportunity to watch and grow from that.”

Despite joining a roster with no guaranteed minutes available, Sochan expressed confidence in the long view.

“I do believe in myself,” he said. “But I look at it as the bigger picture. I think I can be a part of this and grow in general.”

For Diawara, that competition is simply part of the equation.

Diawara has not backed down from that challenge. If anything, his recent play suggests he is ready for it.

Alder Almo is a sports journalist covering the NBA for Heavy.com. He has more than 20 years of experience in local and international media, including broadcast, print and digital. He previously covered the Knicks for Empire Sports Media and the NBA for Off the Glass. Alder is from the Philippines and is now based in Jersey City, New Jersey. More about Alder Almo