Breaking good news! Kai Sotto of the Philippines is continuing his professional basketball career after signing up with the Australian National Basketball League (NBL).
The NBL and Adelaide 36ers simultaneously announced on April 21, 2021, that the league has signed up the 18-year-old Sotto to play for the Sixers in the 2021/2022 season.
“The Adelaide 36ers got their Kai for #NBL22, the 7’2 insanely skilled teenager from the Philippines, Kai Sotto,” posted NBL social media.
NBL Commissioner Jeremy Loeliger said, “We are delighted to welcome Kai to the NBL to play with the Adelaide 36ers. The NBL is one of the best leagues in the world and a great league to develop players like Kai Sotto who want to take their game to the next level by playing alongside seasoned professional players in a super competitive league.”
Adelaide 36ers revealed it has signed Sotto for two seasons, with an option for a third.
Sotto signed under the NBL’s Special Restricted Player rule provision allowing the club – and the league – to continue to build on strong relationships within the FIBA Asian region.
Kai Sotto has played for the Philippines’ national basketball team, Gilas Pilipinas, and was supposed to play in the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers until rescheduling issues hampered his joining the team.
The former Ateneo High School MVP previously joined The Skills Factory in the United States, propelling the team to a championship and another MVP title. He then joined the American National Basketball Association G-League Ignite Team training before eventually leaving the development program.
Kai Sotto, a 7’3″ center, was recently seen showing his dominant game with a no-jump-dunk in a scrimmage match at the Smith League in Cincinnati.
“Grateful and Blessed to continue my journey. Australia 🇦🇺 see you soon,” posted Kai Sotto on social media.
“We are delighted to welcome Kai, both to the Club and the City of Adelaide. Attracting a player of Kai’s potential from Asia, and more recently the United States, to Adelaide will only enhance the Club’s reputation for identifying and developing elite basketball talent,” Adelaide Basketball Chairman Grant Kelley said.
“Kai realises that he has work ahead of him as all rookies do when coming into this tough league, but his combination of height and developing skill-set give him every chance to raise his game. With hard work, his ceiling for growth is very high,” Adelaide 36ers General Manager of Basketball Jeff Van Groningen added.
Kai Sotto is expected to arrive in Adelaide later this year for pre-season training as the Adelaide 36ers prepare for the 2021/22 season.
SEND CHEERS in the comments below to Kai Sotto as he continues his professional basketball career in the Australian National Basketball League with the Adelaide 36ers!
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