Just last year, Kai Sotto was on the fast track to making it to the National Basketball Association.
Just 543 days ago, the then-18 year old signed with G League Ignite – the NBA’s program for elite prospects that prepares fresh-out-of-high-school kids for the big league.
However, it was not meant to be. Sotto would not play a single game for Ignite. But it does not mean that the dream is already dead.
Last April, the 7-foot-3 Filipino again took the road less taken, signing with National Basketball League-Australia team Adelaide.
This time around, Sotto is more mature and patient.
“Right now I’m just trying to be the best player that I can be every day,” he told Australian reporters. “Just trying to be 0.001 percent better every day. Before I sleep at night I just make sure that I did my best to help myself and help other people get better.
“The long-term goal is always to make it to the NBA. Hopefully next year or the following year. That’s the ultimate dream.”
Unlike with Ignite where players only have one year to break out, the 36ers will act more patient with Sotto.
Sotto was given a three-year deal with the third year being a club option.
Moreover, Sotto can get valuable playing time as Adelaide’s frontline is manned by 6-foot-11 Isaac Humphries, 6-foot-10 Lachlan Olbrich, and team captain Daniel Johnson who has taken Sotto under his wing.
Photo from Adelaide 36ers
“The best match-up I’ve had on this team is Daniel Johnson,” Sotto said. “I haven’t really practiced with Isaac because he hasn’t really practiced fully, but just guarding Daniel Johnson is a challenge for me every day.
“You can’t predict what he’s going to do because he can pass, he can shoot, he can post up and he’s got good strength,” he said about his skipper.
“Going to practice and guarding him is a challenge but when we play with each other, now that’s a good feeling. That’s a good sight to see.”
For his first year down under, Sotto plans to stick to his bread and butter which is rim protection.
His campaign with Adelaide begins on November 14 during the Hungry Jack’s Blitz preseason tourney. The season then starts on December 3 when Adelaide faces Tasmania.
“I’m a rookie so I’ll start with my specialty, which is defense and rim protection,” he said.
“Offensively we’re a good a good team and we share the ball so the offense will come to us naturally.”
Sotto also knows that the pressure he come under will never go away.
Unlike a year ago, he has learned to embrace it.
Photo from FIBA.basketball
“One of my biggest dreams was to represent my country, especially playing in FIBA tournaments,” Sotto said.
“But right now I’m going to be playing in the NBL and I’m the only Filipino to play here. The performance that I show will reflect on the Philippines so I have to make sure that I play the right way and play my best every time I step on the court.”
