FILE – Kai Sotto. Photo from Adelaide 36ers
MANILA, Philippines — After two seasons with the Adelaide 36ers in Australia’s National Basketball League, Kai Sotto is taking his talents to Japan after signing with the Hiroshima Dragonflies in the 2022-23 B.League.
Hiroshima on Tuesday announced that Sotto will be their Asian import.
The B.League team said it has been eyeing Sotto for a long time but his priority back then was last year’s NBA Draft. The Dragonflies are happy that they signed the 7-foot-3 center in time for the ongoing season, where they are holding a 27-9 record.
広島ドラゴンフライズは、2022-23シーズンにおいて #カイソット 選手との契約に新たに合意しましたのでお知らせいたします。
詳細はこちら↓https://t.co/sxAXgHMWTL@kzsottolive #ドラゴンフライズ #Bリーグ #バスケ pic.twitter.com/K1AsJRF40c
— 広島ドラゴンフライズ (@HIROSHIMADFLIES) February 7, 2023
The 20-year-old Sotto is also elated to take his act to the B.League Division 1, where he will face several Filipino players like Bobby Ray Parks. Jr. of Nagoya, Thirdy Ravena of San-En, Dwight Ramos of Hokkaido, Kiefer Ravena of Shiga, Matthew Wright of Kyoto, and Ryukyu-bound Carl Tamayo.
“I’m looking forward to playing at the Hiroshima Dragonflies. I would like to do my best to make the season of the Dragon Flies, which aims to win the B-League championship, be wonderful. I am grateful to the president and GM for giving me this opportunity. I’m looking forward to meeting my teammates, staff, and, of course, fans,” said Sotto in a statement.
Hiroshima said it fully supports Sotto’s ultimate goal to make the NBA which he will continue to pursue after this B.League season.
Sotto, who went undrafted in the 2022 NBA Draft after his first season with Adelaide, averaged 7.1 points and 4.5 rebounds in 50 games during his second season where Adelaide missed the playoffs after posting a 13-15 record for eighth place.
Hiroshima signed another Filipino Justine Baltazar at the start of the season but it didn’t work out as the former La Salle standout hardly played with only a total of 13 minutes and 36 seconds of action in eight games. Without really having any opportunity to showcase his ability, Baltazar only had a total of two points, one rebound, one assist and a steal in his stint with the Dragonflies.
