Kai Sotto and Pascal Siakam after the NBA-Fiba Basketball Without Borders camp. RAPTORS INSTAGRAM PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines–Kai Sotto doesn’t see himself being the last Filipino to get an invitation to Basketball Without Borders Global Camp.
Sotto was among the 64 boys and girls around the world chosen to be part of the 2020 camp, featuring players from around the world, the All-Star Weekend in Chicago over the weekend.
“I expect more Filipinos to come here. I think we’d be very honored and excited to see more Filipinos to come here,” Sotto said in an interview with NBA Philippines.
The 17-year-old Sotto is currently training in Atlanta in the US and his experience in the camp was definitely of big help as he tries to become the first homegrown Filipino in the NBA.
“The best part was to compete against the best players from all around the world and to be coached by the coaches from the NBA. There’s so much talent in this venue and I’m honored to be here,” he said.
During the camp, Sotto was able to learn from a couple of young NBA stars in Pascal Siakam of the Toronto Raptors and Lauri Markkanen of the Chicago Bulls.
The 7-foot-2 Sotto wasn’t the only Filipino selected to participate in the program with his former Ateneo High School teammate Forthsky Padrigao also invited.
Padrigao, however, skipped the camp to be with the Blue Eaglets during the team’s playoff run in the UAAP Season 82 juniors basketball tournament.
Three years ago, Fil-Nigerian AJ Edu, who was teammates with Sotto in the Philippine Youth team, also took part in the global camp.