Following Kai Sotto’s latest revelation that he will be leaving Australia’s National Basketball League for Japan’s B-League, Filipino fans are now left wondering if the 7-foot-2 rising star is putting his NBA dreams on hold.
Sotto announced on his Instagram account that he is parting ways with NBL’s Adelaide 36ers. This was also confirmed by the team’s official website. Sotto played 50 games for the 36ers across 2 seasons. Although he still has a year left in his contract (player option), Sotto’s camp already agreed to an offer from the Hiroshima Dragonflies.
Despite the current situation, Kai Sotto is still hopeful he will play in the NBA
Kai Sotto may be taking his basketball prowess elsewhere but his pursuit to play in the NBA is still very alive. Kai had some flashes of greatness in the land down under but he was only playing limited minutes plus he is getting fewer touches to the ball. This was later on addressed as one of the reasons why he accepted the opportunity to play in Japan.
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As a result of low playing time, his production – although decent – did not meet expectations. His move to the B-League would possibly allow him to dominate and show his talents. Additionally, this is the same league where his fellow Filipino basketball players and former Gilas Pilipinas teammates are thriving. Dwight Ramos, Thirdy Ravena, Kiefer Ravena, Kobe Paras, and Bobby Ray Parks Jr. even became all-stars in the league.
Also, according to rumors, playing in the B-League is just a “pitstop” for Kai before returning to NBA grounds. In a report by Spin.ph, Kai will be playing for Japan in a short period, just before the NBA Summer League begins. As of now, he will be making a somewhat of a detour. It was reported that the 20-year-old big man is eyeing a spot in the Summer League, something his former agent failed to do.
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How can he reach the NBA after going undrafted in 2022?
The 2022 draft was the closest Kai Sotto came to being part of an NBA team. He did, however, play in a preseason game against the Phoenix Suns where he showed his emphatic defensive skills.
Going undrafted broke the hearts of many Filipinos. But for Kai, it does not stop there. Kai is still pursuing his NBA dreams at his own pace. First, he signed under Wasserman Sports Agency, leaving his former agent, Joel Bell. This would result in him getting more connections around the NBA. Now, Kai Sotto moving to Japan could make a significant change in his career. Hopefully, he will be playing in a league where he gets to showcase how amazing he is as a player and maybe capture the interests of NBA GMs and scouts. But, truth be told, it is going to be a rough road for Kai Sotto. It’s not common for undrafted Asian players to get a call, even for the G-League.
Are you feeling excited about Kai Sotto’s possible route to the NBA? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below. For more content, stay with us, here at Spiel Times.
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