Kai Sotto during his press conference and sendoff. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines–Cleveland Cavaliers guard Collin Sexton believes that Kai Sotto has what it takes to flourish as a basketball player.
“Kai, that’s my guy,” Sexton told a handful of reporters on Wednesday at Raffles Makati. “He’s going to be great.”
The NBA rookie wasn’t simply making a conjecture. He has, after all, trained alongside the Filipino prospect in Atlanta, where Sotto is currently training in a bid to crack premier basketball league.
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Sexton and Sotto train under the same skills coach American Nick Stapleton, who has an international following which includes professionals from China, Italy and Montenegro.
The similarities between Sexton and Sotto don’t end there. The American guard went on to play in the Fiba Under-17 World Cup in 2017, while the towering Filipino played in the last year’s edition of the global meet.
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Sexton went on to become a lottery pick in the NBA a destination Sotto has long set his sights on.
“He’s already great and he’s going to be a lot better, you’re all going to see,” Sexton said of Sotto.
Sexton is in town with WNBA legend and future Hall of Famer Tina Penicherio for the 2019 Jr. NBA Philippines that is set to come off wraps this Saturday at Don Bosco in Makati.
Sexton will also serve as a mentor to kids aged 13-14 years old in the event that culminates at MOA Music Hall this Sunday.