Kai Sotto is heading to Australia to play in the Australian National Basketball League (NBL).
How did he end up here, about to suit up for the Adelaide 36ers while also aiming for Gilas Pilipinas? These are the only steps he took.
Rising in St. Francis of Assisi from 2010 to 2016
Kai Sotto, the son of 6-foot-7 Ervin, an 11-year PBA veteran, and 6-foot Pamela, a former student-athlete, was destined for greatness. He started showing signs of it at his father’s alma mater, Ranidel de Ocampo, a Philippine basketball legend who is also his godfather.
Kai Sotto joined the Jr. NBA program in 2015 as a 6’7″ 13-year-old.Jr.. NBA
On April 11, 2015, I stood out in the Jr. NBA.
In the 2015 edition of the grassroots program, Kai Sotto literally stood head and shoulders above talents aged 6-14. He was unmistakable and was chosen as one of 17 Metro Manila representatives to the National Training Camp. He was named camp MVP a year later.
Transferring to Ateneo on April 11, 2016
Kai Sotto, who was born and raised in Metro Manila’s south, had the option of accepting a transfer offer from nearby La Salle Zobel. Instead, he chose to go north to the Blue Eagles’ nest, where he earned UAAP Rookie of the Year honors in his first season with Ateneo HS.
Kai Sotto represented the Philippines in the FIBA U17 World Cup in 2018 and the FIBA U18 World Cup in 2019.FIBA
On May 14, 2017, I wore the flag.
Of course, Kai Sotto was part of the Philippines’ best youth team to date. He was the cornerstone of a Batang Gilas team that averaged 6-foot-5 in height, leading the Filipinos to the 2017 SEABA U-16 championship, two wins in the 2018 FIBA Under-17 World Cup, and one win in the 2019 FIBA Under-19 World Cup.
On March 2, 2018, I won the UAAP championship.
Kai Sotto shared the stage with now-Seniors stars SJ Belangel and Dave Ildefonso during his first few years at Ateneo HS. Nonetheless, it was his 22-point, 16-rebound, 11-block triple-double in Game 1 of the UAAP Season 80 Juniors Finals that propelled the Blue Eaglets to victory and, ultimately, the championship.
By 2018, Kai Sotto had outgrown 6’10” PBA MVP June Mar Fajardo.ESPN5
On February 11, 2019, I was named UAAP MVP.
Kai Sotto’s last appearance in a tournament in the Philippines was memorable. He averaged 25.1 points, 13.9 rebounds, 3.4 assists, and 2.6 blocks in UAAP Season 81, earning him the title of undisputed MVP.
While playing for Ateneo, Kai Sotto won a UAAP juniors title in 2018 and was named juniors MVP in 2019.Sarmenta, Yoyo
Moving forward to the United States on March 25, 2019.
With no more UAAP trophies to his name, Kai Sotto took on a bigger challenge and sought to prove himself abroad. Initially, Europe was mentioned as the most likely destination, with Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Baskonia in Spain, as well as Alba Berlin in Germany, expressing interest, but NCAA schools such as Auburn and Georgia Tech also expressed interest.
Joining The Skills Factory on November 9, 2019
Kai Sotto didn’t feel right in Europe or the NCAA, so he joined The Skills Factory, an Atlanta-based development program that “specializes in high quality custom sports coaching and skills training.” He won the King Invitational Tournament as MVP before attending the Basketball Without Borders Global Camp during NBA All-Star Weekend in Chicago in February 2020.
Ignite 2020 will be illuminated on May 12, 2020.
Kai Sotto’s dream has always been to play in the NBA and be the first full-blooded Filipino to do so. Fortunately, a viable path opened up in the form of select squad Ignite, which placed him alongside other top young players such as Jalen Green and Jonathan Kuminga and pitted them against G League competition.
Brian Shaw remarked on Kai Sotto’s skill set for a player of his size.Getty Images, Noah Graham/NBAE
Gilas vs. G League on January 21, 2021
Kai Sotto was promoted to the Men’s team for the 2021 FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers thanks to Gilas. It was a no-brainer decision for the towering teen to represent his country, and he flew back to the Philippines for the training ‘bubble’ from late January to early February. This despite the fact that Ignite’s season was about to begin on February 8.
G League and Ignite will part ways on February 23, 2021.
Unfortunately, the ongoing COVID-19 crisis delayed the regional qualifiers, as well as Gilas’ preparations. With that, Kai Sotto found himself between a rock and a hard place: he had nothing to play for in the Philippines, but he had already missed too much time to rejoin Ignite. Finally, he and the G League decided to part ways.
On April 21, 2021, talent will be transferred to the NBL’s Adelaide 36ers.
Now, facing Kai Sotto is a task as daunting as the G League. He chose to play for the Adelaide 36ers in the NBL in the hopes of gaining valuable experience from a league known for developing big men as well as physical play.
