Adelaide 36ers center Kai Sotto. Photo from Adelaide 36ers
MANILA, Philippines—Dealt with many challenges in 2021, Kai Sotto is bracing for another tough year ahead.
In a lengthy post on social media, the Filipino basketball prospect looked back on what was a rollercoaster year for him that tested his mental strength more than anything.
“Started the year rough but I just believed it’ll all become better as long as I believe in myself. God gives his toughest battles to his strongest soldiers is what I always tell myself,” Sotto wrote.
“This year was the first year when I had my birthday, and new year’s away from family and home, but I believe these sacrifices will all turn out to be ones that will strengthen me at the end of the day,” he added.
The 19-year-old had a hectic 2021 where he was supposed to play for Ignite in the NBA G League.
Sotto, however, ended up signing with the Adelaide 36ers to become the first Filipino to play in Australia’s National Basketball League.
But he continued to face adversities in the NBL after the 7-foot-3 center was sidelined with a knee injury that forced him to miss over a month.
The recent COVID-19 surge has also postponed the 36ers’ last two games against the Perth Wildcats and South East Melbourne.
“But still, I’ve achieved and learned so so much and that’s the biggest blessing I had this year. I know it gets tougher now every year so I expect next year to be more difficult and more challenging, but guess what, I’M READY FOR YOU 2022‼️” said Sotto, who has played only once for the 36ers so far.