THE Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) lauded Kai Sotto’s decision to jump to the National Basketball Association (NBA) G-League and so did the youngster’s fans and supporters who see the teen phenom as the country’s next big sports star.
SBP President Al Panlilio said Sotto could bring the national basketball team to new heights.
“Kai will be a huge part of the future of Philippine basketball so his success will be the entire country’s too,” Panlilio said.
“We had a front-row seat in seeing Kai grow through our Gilas Pilipinas Youth program, and we’re hopeful that his development will continue further in the G-League,” added Panlilio, the Meralco Bolts governor in the Philippine Basketball Association.
The son of former PBA player Ervin Sotto was the University Athletic Association of the Philippines Season 81 Juniors Most Valuable Player and is no stranger to the big stage having represented the country in the Fiba Under-17 and U19 World Championships.
Ateneo Coach Sandy Arespacochaga, who mentored Sotto in the U19 championships in Greece last year, believes the young player has the skill set to prosper in the US.
“Kai is skillful,” Arespacochaga said. “I think he can get stronger and bigger in the G-League. He could possibly dominate, maybe not. But what is important is his improvement.”
Reports from the US say that Sotto could earn at least $200,000 (P10 million) for his G-League stint. He will team up with projected NBA No.1 rookie draft and Filipino American Jalen Green.
“Filipinos are dreaming of playing in the NBA,” said Chooks-to-Go President Ronald Mascariñas, who likens the 7-foot-2 stalwart as the “Yao Ming of the Philippines.”
“At such a young age, Kai already knows that he has a responsibility to his family and his country. It’s his determination to carry the nation’s dream of producing an NBA player that make us decide to support him,” added Mascariñas, who helped bankroll Sotto’s training, including his monthly allowances, since 2017.