Kai Sotto back with Adelaide 36ers in NBL

Kai Sotto. –ADELAIDE 36ERS PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Kai Sotto is returning to the Adelaide 36ers for the second straight season in Australia’s National Basketball League after he went undrafted in the 2022 NBA Rookie Draft.

The 7-foot-3 center on Friday announced on his Instagram that he is making a comeback for the 36ers in the 2022-23 season.

“Let’s run it back Adelaide 36ers!!! #Year2,” Sotto wrote.

The NBL also took to social media to share Aussie Hoopla Podcast’s interview with Adelaide coach CJ Bruton where it was revealed that the Filipino basketball prodigy is returning.

“He is,” Bruton answered when he was asked about Sotto’s return.

The 20-year-old went undrafted in the NBA Draft despite working out with several teams like Orlando Magic, New York Knicks, Sacramento Kings, and Indiana Pacers.

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But he remained defiant in chasing his NBA dream despite not making it through the draft.

Sotto also signed with distinguished sports agency Wasserman, replacing his agent Joel Bell weeks after he didn’t make it to an NBA team.

The 20-year-old big man had an impressive first NBL season, averaging 7.6 points on 51 percent field goal shooting including a 39 percent rating from the three-point line, and had 4.5 rebounds and 0.7 blocks in 15.2 minutes in 23 games.

Based on Sotto’s post and stories, he is eager to lead the 36ers in rising from a seventh place finish with a 10-18 record last season.

Chot Reyes and the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas are also convincing Sotto to play for Gilas Pilipinas in the last three Asian Qualifers windows, 32nd Southeast Asian Games, and the Fiba World Cup 2023.

SBP’s plan to bring the young big man to the Fiba Asia Cup didn’t push through after Reyes said: “he decided to do some other things.” Gilas placed ninth in the tournament missing the quarterfinals for the first time since 2007.