Chot hopes Kai toughens up with top competition in G League | Inquirer Sports

Chot hopes Kai toughens up with top competition in G League

By: - Reporter / @BLozadaINQ
/ 09:47 PM August 08, 2020

Kai Sotto

Photo from Fiba.com

MANILA, Philippines — Kai Sotto was head and shoulders above his competition when he was still playing for Ateneo in the juniors division of the UAAP, winning the MVP and the title in 2018.

The 7-foot-2 center was also an integral part of the Philippines’ campaign in several Fiba youth tournaments, but former Gilas head coach Chot Reyes believes Sotto hasn’t been tested well enough.

Article continues after this advertisement

But Reyes said that will change when Sotto officially plays in the NBA G League where he’s about to encounter stiff opposition.

FEATURED STORIES

“There are times he plays with competitions that are not on the same level as he is, and I’m not too interested in that. I want him to get an opportunity to play against real top-flight caliber competition,” said Reyes.

In an interview with the Coaches Unfiltered podcast, Reyes said that Sotto’s daily practices with his teammates, and fellow prep to pro stars, Jalen Green, Isaiah Todd, and Daishen Nix is bound to toughen him up.

Article continues after this advertisement

There’s also the fact that the G League Select Team will be competing against grown men once the games start.

Article continues after this advertisement

“Being around Jalen Green and all that, every day he’s going to get daily top-level competition, good practices in and that’s what Kai needs,” said Reyes. “He needs to toughen up. Kailangan niya mabugbog [he needs to experience the physicality], play against people who are bigger than he is which he will never get here.”

Article continues after this advertisement

Sotto, though, has been training in The Skill Factory Prep School after leaving Ateneo and it’s there that he’s bulked himself up in preparation for his NBA dream.

“I wanted to make sure that through all that, he gets top-caliber competition. I think it’s a good situation for him,” said Reyes.

Article continues after this advertisement

  

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our daily newsletter

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

TAGS: Ateneo, Basketball, Chot Reyes, G-League, Gilas Pilipinas, Kai Sotto, NBA G-League, Sports, UAAP

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our newsletter!

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

© Copyright 1997-2024 INQUIRER.net | All Rights Reserved

This is an information message

We use cookies to enhance your experience. By continuing, you agree to our use of cookies. Learn more here.