Three players from the first batch of G League Ignite were drafted by NBA teams, Friday morning (Manila time).
Filipino-American Jalen Green, the first-ever commit of Ignite, was selected by the Houston Rockets as the second overall pick in the draft. Minutes later, Jonathan Kuminga went seventh, going to the Golden State Warriors.
Isaiah Todd was the first pick in the second round after being picked by the Milwaukee Bucks.
Daishen Nix, on the other hand, went undrafted.
But if the 18-year-old Kuminga was to be asked, he believes that Kai Sotto will be joining them in the NBA as well.
“Kai for sure, he has a chance to be a great player,” said Kuminga during his post-draft press conference.
Sotto only spent a few months with Ignite as he was not able to join the team in the Orlando bubble.
Still, Kuminga saw the work ethic the 7-foot-3 Filipino had, saying that his height and skills are NBA caliber.
“At the end of the day Kai works hard, he has the size and ability to be an NBA player and drive.”
Sotto though will be playing for the Adelaide 36ers in the NBL first.
For his part, Kuminga will be waiting on Sotto by continuing to prove the doubters wrong.
“I’m in a great situation. I see myself as giving out a lot on defense and at the end of the day if they need me on offense, it’s just the way they want me to do it, I’m willing to do it and I feel like I’m capable to do it,” said the 6-foot-8 utility forward out of Congo.
“I feel like it’s the right fit for me.”
