An injury has paved the way for Kai Sotto’s return to the B.League.
With naturalized Japanese forward Luke Evans sidelined by injury, Altiri Chiba has decided to sign Sotto for the upcoming season.
Altiri announced Sotto’s signing on Thursday.
Sotto had received offers from two B.League clubs, Nagasaki Velca and Altiri Chiba, before ultimately deciding to join the latter.
(C) B.League
“I’m looking forward to joining the club Altiri Chiba,” read Sotto’s statement.
“I’m very excited to meet the team, coach Andrej (Lemanis), the staff, my teammates, and the fans! I’ll do everything I can to help this team win and achieve great things this season.”
Sotto had been a free agent since opting not to renew with Koshigaya last May as he pursued an opportunity to play for an NCAA Division I school.
However, the NCAA determined that Sotto’s professional earnings exceeded what was allowed under its rules for “living expenses,” preventing him from regaining his amateur status.
The move marks Sotto’s fourth B.League team after previous stints with Hiroshima, Yokohama, and Koshigaya. Last season, Sotto averaged 13.5 points, 9.6 rebounds, and 1.0 blocks per game.
Altiri Chiba finished the 2025-26 season with a 19-41 record, good for 22nd place in the league.
