Kai Sotto at the Basketball Without Borders NBA Camp. NBA PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—Kai Sotto got mixed reviews after his participation in the Basketball Without Borders Global Camp during the 2020 NBA All-Star Weekend.
The much-ballyhooed 17-year-old made it to ESPN’s list of standouts from the camp but playing against better competition also revealed his weaker points, according to an NBA draft analyst.
Jonathan Givony of ESPN put Sotto as a top long-term draft prospect but he pointed that there’s still a lot the 7-foot-2 center has to work on.
“His performance at the BWB camp was somewhat inconsistent as he looked like one of the most talented prospects in attendance in the morning drills each day but struggled to make his presence felt in the game,” wrote Givony on ESPN.
“Sotto has gotten into better shape since arriving to the US and possesses versatile skill set for a player his size: scoring in the post with either hand, handling the ball impressively, good court vision and range on a jump shot that extends beyond the 3-point line.”
Sotto was already a hyped prospect coming out of Ateneo after having won one MVP in the UAAP and has averaged 13.3 points and 8.9 rebounds across Fiba competitions.
The lanky teen then decided to improve his craft in the United States and enroll at The Skill Factory in Atlanta which can better his chances of getting drafted into the NBA.
“Sotto didn’t look ready for the level of physicality and intensity he encountered in the camp scrimmages, as he was scored on at will by stronger players, looked lethargic getting back on defense and settled for too many low-percentage shots,” also wrote Givony.
“Sotto did show nice timing rotating for blocks thanks in part to his massive 9-foot-3 standing reach.”
But Sotto, who recently won MVP in an Atlanta tournament, still has a lot of opportunities to hone his game as he stays in the US to train.