During his playing career, Adelaide head coach CJ Bruton tried numerous times to make it into the NBA.
The Australian-American guard entered the 1997 NBA Draft and was the 52nd overall pick by Vancouver. He would not crack either the Grizzlies’ nor the Portland Trailblazers’ lineup.
Nine years later, he tried out for the Cleveland Cavaliers but again was unable to land a spot with the team.
Though unsuccessful with his attempts, Bruton knows an NBA-caliber talent when he sees it. And he is confident that his ward Kai Sotto will be in the big league one day.
“There’s no doubt that Kai will have every opportunity to play in the NBA.
“If it’s this year, depending on how the draft stock goes because, as we all know, it can be different at different times,” the six-time NBL champion told Play It Right TV. “It’s to give him every shot to want to be first round and play and contribute. But I feel like right now, just for him to get drafted, his time will come.”
Bruton has seen the work the 7-foot-3, 19-year-old Filipino has put in over the last few months.
And he will make sure that he does his part as well.
“My job is to help him become an elite player and hopefully, one day get to the NBA. And to get there, every day counts,” he continued. “And I need him to keep pushing himself and set the tone every day in practice, which he’s been doing.
“His charisma, his athleticism, it all shines within our group. The way he’s played has been next level. Diving for loose balls in practice, blocking shots – which we know he’s capable of doing – and finishing on the other end with authority; and enjoying and bringing that smile in everyone’s faces and his own, which has been good.”
Certainly, Sotto has been holding his own so far in the NBL – a league seen as the third-best in the world behind the NBA and the EuroLeague.
Starting to rack up minutes, Sotto has been averaging 8.6 points on 56-percent and 4.4 rebounds for the 36ers so far.
Photo by Adelaide 36ers
“I’m always not the strongest on the court but it’s just the competitiveness inside me that makes me compete,” said Sotto. “In Australia, it’s really physical compared to the Philippines. Sometimes, it’s physical hurting. Playing in our streets, I’m pretty much used to it. It’s just about staying ready.
“Backing down is not an option.”
Bruton bared that Sotto’s efforts is not in vain.
Based on his talks with his friends in the NBA, they certainly are keeping tabs on him.
“I think for every scout that I’ve spoken to so far from around the NBA that want to know about Kai Sotto and his personality, what he can bring and where he fits… I said no doubt he’s gonna be there,” he said.
“Everyone understands that he’s gonna be there at some point, it’s just a matter of when.”
