Kai Sotto. Photo from Fiba.com
MANILA, Philippines—Filipino center Kai Sotto is set to join the Adelaide 36ers in Australia’s National Basketball League.
The announcement was made by Sotto and the club Wednesday through a virtual press conference.
The 7-foot-3 Sotto, who was supposed to play for Ignite in the NBA G League for parting ways in a “mutual decision,” signed a two-year deal with the 36ers with an option for third, according to the club.
Adelaide head coach Conner Henry said that he “couldn’t be more excited to have Kai joining us.”
“We’re excited not only Kai here but also his family and the people that represent him here in Adelaide,” said Henry. “We’re looking forward to be working with all of you.”
Sotto also committed to joining Gilas Pilipinas for the upcoming Fiba Asia Cup and the future Olympic Qualifying Tournament.
“Playing for the national team is the top goal for any athlete,” Sotto said.
The 36ers are one of the NBL’s more successful teams having won four titles but their last championship was in 2002—their third in a five-year stretch from 1998.
Adelaide had a subpar campaign in the 2020 season going 12-16 and are now ranked seventh in the 2021 tiff with a 10-14 card.
A familiar club for Filipino audiences, the 36ers traveled to the Philippines in 2019 to play tune-up games against Gilas Pilipinas, TNT, and Ateneo.