More than basketball, Kai Sotto hopes to inspire Filipinos in NBA goal

FILE–Kai Sotto during his stint with Gilas Pilipinas. –AFP

MANILA, Philippines—Making the NBA is more than just a dream for Kai Sotto.

Sotto also knows becoming the first Filipino-born player to reach the highest level of basketball is bigger than the sport.

“It means so much to me and to my fellow Filipinos,” said Sotto in a report on the NBA website. “The biggest goal for me is to make it to the NBA.”

“But when I look at the bigger picture, I want to make it to the NBA to serve as an example and inspiration to the younger players, younger athletes back home in the Philippines. If they can say that if Kai can make it, so can I, that’s a dream come true.”

The 20-year-old Sotto has had pre-draft workouts with several NBA teams. His latest workout was with the Indiana Pacers, who has three picks in the 2022 NBA Draft on Friday.

Raymond Townsend was the first player with Filipino descent to play in the NBA. Currently, Filipino-American guards Jordan Clarkson and Jalen Green, the second overall pick in the 2021 draft, are in the league.

Expectations couldn’t be any greater for the towering 7-foot-2 Sotto, but so is the support of millions of Filipinos rallying behind him.

“I’m really thankful for all their (Filipinos) support and those I don’t take for granted,“ he said.

“And, you know, if I make it to the NBA, I’ll be the first Filipino. And my dream is to help others to get here, too,”