Kai Sotto was expecting to enter the 2021 NBA Draft which is set to take place in the third quarter of the year.
According to his agent Joel Bell — a well-respected man in the industry, he had already surveyed teams from the big league and many of them wanted to get the 7-foot-3 Filipino.
“As his NBA agent, I had talks with several teams, and he was going to be drafted. Several teams had said they were going to draft him,” bared Bell during a press conference organized by SMART, Wednesday.
“We don’t know what spot yet, because he hasn’t gotten that far with still quite a ways to the draft.”
However, an NBA rule changed his plans.
League rules state that anyone can enter the draft a year after graduating from high school. The 18-year-old Sotto only finished his secondary studies in Miami School early this month.
“He is eligible starting a year after his graduation class, in the year 2022,” said East West Private chief executive officer Patty Scott.
Still, Sotto, who is already considered a pro player after his quick stint in G League Ignite, found another opportunity elsewhere.
The second generation cager has signed with NBL-Australia’s Adelaide 36ers. His contract is guaranteed for two years while there’s a team option on the third year.
For Sotto, this was a sign from the Higher Being that he needs to polish his game more before throwing his name in the NBA Draft.
“A part of me, hindi ko masabi na disappointed pero sobrang dami ko naisip… Na akala ko draft eligible ako for this year,” admitted Sotto.
“Pero lagi kong iniisip yung sinasabi ng tatay [Ervin Sotto] ko na everything happens for a reason. Bibigay sa ‘yo ni God ‘yan dahil mas may maganda pa siyang ihahain sa yo.
“Naniniwala ako dun and sa tingin ko, isang sign yun na hindi ka pa ready at kailangan ka pa maghanda lalo. Binigyan ako ng chance para magpagaling at magpalakas pa lalo kaya pagdating na magpapa-draft na ko, confident na ko sa sarili ko,” shared Sotto.
