Kai Sotto makes Australia debut, helps Adelaide win in NBL preseason

Adelaide 36ers center Kai Sotto. Photo from Adelaide 36ers

MANILA, Philippines—Kai Sotto made his debut in the Australian basketball scene as he helped Adelaide escape Cairns in overtime, 91-87, in the National Basketball League Blitz preseason tournament Sunday at MyState Bank Arena in Tasmania.

The 7-foot-3 center finished with seven points, five rebounds, one assist, and one block in 17 minutes of play.

Sotto also had a hand late in the game as he gave the 36ers a 74-72 lead on a layup with barely a minute left in regulation.

The game went into overtime, 79-79 after Cameron Bairstow was called with an offensive interference on Stephen Zimmerman’s late tip-in.

Adelaide opened the extra period on an 8-0 run to take command and fend off the Taipans.

Sotto started the game and got his first field goal in Australia early in the second quarter when he drove for a two-handed dunk plus the foul to get a three-point play.

Daniel Johnson led the 36ers with 33 points and eight rebounds.

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