‘Next big step’

Finally revealing his future plans, teenager Kai Sotto confirmed his entry to the NBA G League select team on Thursday, stressing that the program offers the best path to making the NBA.

Sotto will be part of the first batch of prospects in the program headlined by Filipino-American Jalen Green, who, like the Filipino standout, also spurned several offers from collegiate programs to join the NBA G League.

NBA G League president Shareef Abdur-Rahim also announced Sotto’s entry to the program, which gives young prospects a chance to begin their professional careers while receiving mentorship and life skills training.

Sotto, who has been based in Atlanta over the past year, honing his game with The Skill Factory, will have the opportunity to accelerate his on-court development as he learns NBA-style basketball.

“Now, I have to take the next big step,” Sotto said. “We have many options available but after much thought, I believe this option is the best route for me to get closer and faster to that dream. Here [in the G League], I will be playing with some of the very best and I will have even more resources and support.”

Sotto reiterated he was fully focused on making the NBA, knowing that a lot of Filipinos also share his dream.

“I am so glad and grateful because it means a lot of you are following me on this journey,” said Sotto, who last played in the Philippines two years ago when he led the Ateneo Blue Eaglets to the UAAP juniors title.

Big responsibility

“I understand that I have a lot of responsibility [to] all my fellow countrymen who are dreaming of seeing a Filipino in the NBA.”

Aside from Green, who reportedly handpicked Sotto to join him in the program, the G league also lured Isaiah Todd and Daishen Nix. Details of the team that the prospects will play for will be announced soon, the G League said.

The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) has expressed its support to Sotto’s move, but SBP president Al Panlilio remained unsure whether or not Sotto will remain available for national team duties, particularly in the 2023 Fiba World Cup, which the country is hosting.

“Well, we’re still assuming that he will be available for [the] Gilas [Pilipinas program],” Panlilio said. “He has consistently told us (SBP officials) that he will be available, but [after] this [development], we really do not know what will happen next.”

“If he progresses—from a basketball point of view—I will be very happy for him,” Panlilio said. “And if he does go on to make the NBA, then that would be a momentous occasion for our country.”

Gaining confidence

The SBP is expected to reach out to Sotto to hash out potential scheduling conflicts with his latest move and his bid to be part of the country’s national basketball program.

Sotto said he’s been able to gain confidence playing against the best basketball players around the world in the United States the past year.

“I worked on improving my basketball skills, building up my body and gaining the confidence to play against the best basketball players around the world,” Sotto said. “My wish is that you continue to support me and my new teammates @jalen @zaytodd and DaishenNix and pray for us and hope for all of our success and health as a team.”

“I’m very proud and excited to start my professional career with the NBA G League Select Team. I hope to continue counting on your support.”