Kai Sotto leaves for US on Monday

Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

Kai Sotto’s grueling journey to the NBA begins on Monday when he leaves for the US.

Sotto, Philippine basketball’s brightest young star, is set to train in Atlanta for two months as he sets out to become the first homegrown Filipino to make the NBA.

“Our first stop is in the US in Atlanta where we will train for two months,” his father and former PBA veteran Ervin Sotto told reporters in Filipino during Kai’s press conference and sendoff at Marquee Tent in EDSA Shangri-La Hotel in Mandaluyong City. 

“What Kai needs is to strengthen his body. Basketball is a physical game so in order for him to stay in step with the best he needs to undergo intensive training to build his body,” he said. “He already has the height, skills and instincts and for me as his father and an ex-professional basketball player what he only lacks is strength.” 

The 7-foot-2 Sotto has offers from five European teams, four from Spain and the other in Germany.

Sotto on Monday announced his plans to go abroad and train full-time.