The Assurance: Kai Sotto's Always Willing to Suit up for Gilas Pilipinas

Imagine this: the country will be among the host countries of the 2023 International Basketball Federation (FIBA) World Cup and Gilas Pilipinas would be banned by June Mar Fajardo and Kai Sotto. It's going to be a beautiful picture that we can only dream of happening. Fortunately, there's a chance that it can still happen.

Right after confirming his decision to play in the National Basketball Association (NBA) G-League where he will be suiting up for the G-League Select Team alongside Jalen Green,  Kai Sotto, the first international prospect to take on this alternative path towards making it to the NBA, assured in a conference call that he is always willing to suit up for Gilas Pilipinas. Many have been hailing the seven-foot-two Sotto as one of the future stars of Philippine basketball ever since he made his debut for the national youth team during the 2017 Southeast Asian Basketball Association (SEABA) Under-16 Championship that was held here in Manila. And right in his first run with Batang Gilas, he won a gold medal. Right there and then, coaches were impressed by what Kai Sotto could do back then that even former national team Coach Yeng Guiao made the suggestion that Kai Sotto should have a reserved roster spot in the national team for the 2023 FIBA World Cup. Incidentally, Sotto's name is also included in Chot Reyes' "23 for 23" list which contains the names of players shortlisted who could play for Gilas in 2023. 

The basketball prodigy also added that playing for the national team has always been among his dreams ever since he was a kid. And while he also acknowledged that his upcoming stint in the NBA's developmental league, he added that he's willing to make the necessary adjustments that would allow him to keep his commitment with the Gilas Pilipinas program. 

Regardless of where his G-League stint will bring him, Kai Sotto is already a star in his own way and him being in the G-League while reaffirming his commitment to the Philippine national team is something that we should all be proud of. And who knows? June Mar Fajardo might be right in saying that Kai Sotto will be the one who's going to teach Fajardo and not the other way around. 

Photo is from ESPN.com