Former NBA player JR Smith became synonymous with celebrating NBA championships while shirtless. He did so during the Cleveland Cavaliers’ 2016 title win and then yet again during the Los Angeles Lakers’ 2020 championship run. And now it looks like New York Knicks’ wing Jeremy Sochan is here to carry on that legacy.
Jeremy Sochan 8:25am update: Back in New York. Still shirtless pic.twitter.com/UwgTZ2bBrI
— New York Basketball (@NBA_NewYork) June 14, 2026
In the aftermath of the Knicks’ NBA championship win, Jeremy Sochan took up the mantle as the resident shirtless player during the celebration. The Knicks opted to return to New York rather than stay in San Antonio overnight, and upon the team’s arrival back home, Sochan was still shirtless. And it appeared as if he has also lost his champagne goggles.
Jeremy Sochan has lost his champagne goggles
pic.twitter.com/bRd6Xk1mZP
— New York Basketball (@NBA_NewYork) June 14, 2026
Sochan didn’t play much during the Knicks’ championship run, but he did draw a little attention to himself prior to the series when suggested that as Victor Wembanyama’s former teammate, he might be able to clue the Knicks in on his weaknesses.
And then during Game 5, Sochan attempted to get Wembanyama off his game by chirping at him, but the Spurs star just brushed him off. Sochan got the final laugh though as the Knicks won the championship.
The Knicks signed the former lottery pick after the trade deadline when he was cut by the Spurs when they failed to find a suitable deal. Sochan’s playing time and role and diminished this season after being a reliable double digit scorer his first three seasons in the league.
After the signing, he appeared in 16 regular season games for the Knicks, as well as eight playoff games.
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