New Adelaide head coach CJ Bruton had always wanted to get a chance to coach Kai Sotto.
As early as when Sotto left G League Ignite early this year, Bruton had already been pushing NBL team Brisbane to immediately snatch up the 7-foot-3 wunderkind.
Photo from G League Ignite
But Bruton’s fell on deaf ears, to his dismay.
“From the time we were in the hub, I was trying to push that through the organization and not knowing which way our organization was headed, and who was coaching,” Bruton told Sixers Fix. “Everyone let it fall on deaf ears, but I said he was coming to someone. And I still remember following Kai from when he was in high school (Ateneo).
“He ended up back in the Philippines after taking his name out of the G-League elite where he was trying to play before COVID. Then when that fell through he tried to go back to the G-League and I knew he was going to get snapped up.”
Photo from FIBA.basketball
Sure enough, Adelaide snatched Sotto. And yes, Bruton’s heart sank.
Fate, though, would bring Bruton to the 19-year-old.
When Conner Henry and the 36ers parted ways, Bruton was signed to replace him.
After years of wanting to coach Sotto, now he gets to do so. And he expects a lot from Sotto come the NBL season.
“He has such a great upside even though I know he’s still young. And as a 19-year-old kid there will be some adjustment for him to play against men in the NBL, but I’m so excited by his ability to already make an impact,” expressed Bruton.
“I can’t see why he won’t be able to make his mark this season. And like Mojave King, they both have aspirations for bigger and better things. But it’s all about them making themselves part of our team and helping us play well, and that’s important for their development.”
