When the February window of the 2023 FIBA World Cup Qualifiers rolls around, the National Basketball League-Australia will still be in the midst of its season.
In fact, Kai Sotto and Adelaide will be playing five games in those 28 days. Gilas, on the other hand, will be Korea twice and New Zealand and India once during the last week of that month.
So will the 7-foot-3 big man be available for the Philippine-hosted window? Well, the 36ers have yet to talk about it.
Photo from Adelaide 36ers
“That’s something I haven’t discussed yet, and that’s something probably over my head at this point in time,” 36ers head coach CJ Bruton said during an online press conference hosted by Tap Sports.
“Normally, when we’re in season, leagues will shut down, and you’re able to go out and participate. I know Australia is not competing at this point in time in some of these events, so that’s something that I’ll need to take up the chain, and that’s a question that needs to be asked to someone higher than me.”
For their part, the Boomers will also play four games during that window. They go up against Chinese-Taipei twice and Japan and China once.
Sotto, who has missed the last two games of Adelaide, said that whatever happens, his stint in Adelaide is in preparation for two things — his NBA dream and for Gilas.
Photo by FIBA.basketball
“I think I’m doing both,” he said when asked about what he is focused on. “The goal for me every day is to be 0.0001-percent better every single day, trying to make the most out of every day to get better, and stronger.
“This year, I’m just really focused on developing, and helping my team win every time I step on the court. I know when I’m doing that, I’m also preparing for 2023.”
During his seniors’ team debut, the 19-year-old was impressive.
He posted norms of 9.3 points and 7.0 rebounds during the Asia Cup Qualifiers while averaging 9.0 points and 4.5 rebounds in the Belgrade-Olympic Qualifying Tournament.
Definitely, Sotto is an integral part of Gilas heading into the World Cup.
