Kai Sotto. Photo from Fiba.com
MANILA, Philippines—Kai Sotto announced on Thursday that he will be joining Gilas Pilipinas in the February window of the 2021 Fiba Asia Cup Qualifiers.
In an Instagram video, Sotto said he’s looking to join the national team in the Clark bubble and play against South Korea and Indonesia.
“I’m really excited to be given the opportunity to play for Gilas this February and I thank all those who support me and believe in my dreams to play for the country and, in the right time, the NBA,” said Sotto in Filipino.
Sotto, who is in the United States, is under contract with the Ignite team in the NBA G League which is also set to play in their own bubble at Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando.
The 7-foot-3 center will still undergo the government-imposed quarantine once he arrives in the Philippines before he could join his rest of the national team, who are now at Inspire Sports Academy in Calamba prepping up for the qualifiers.
Sotto has already played international basketball at the junior level but has yet to play in the senior tournaments and this window could very well become his debut.