What's Next for Kai Sotto?

Much has been said about Kai Sotto’s decision to forego what could have been a highlight-filled collegiate career in the United States and jump straight to play in the National Basketball Association (NBA) G-League. Not only will he get to play alongside Filipino-American prospect, but Jalen Green, the former Ateneo Blue Eaglet and Season 81 Most Valuable Player in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) also became the first international prospect to join the NBA’s developmental league and more importantly, making him a step closer towards the country’s dream of seeing a Filipino play in the NBA next to the Filipino-Americans Jordan Clarkson and Raymond Townsend.

So, what’s next for Kai Sotto who led the Ateneo Blue Eaglets to a UAAP championship in Season 80 before flying to the United States at the end of Season 81?

In a social media post, the seven-foot-two center said that now being equipped with more resources and support, he is committed to developing his game which can help him play in a much bigger stage. He also added that he’s excited to play for the NBA G-League Select Team alongside Jalen Green on top of being teammates with Isaiah Todd and, Daishen Nix.

In a separate statement welcoming the league’s newest star, NBA G-League President Shareef Abdur-Rahim said that Sotto “will have the opportunity to speed up on his on-court development as he is about to learn the NBA style of basketball” Abdur-Rahim, who also played in the NBA from 1996 to 2008, added that Kai Sotto’s desire to continuously improve will make him a great fit in the G-League Select Team.

What makes Sotto’s decision to jump into the G-League helpful for his NBA dream?

Not only he will earn 200,000 US Dollars from his G-League deal, but he would also be competing with his team against other G-League teams, national teams from other countries, and NBA academies. And compared to the other G-League squads, the G-League Select Team isn’t connected to any NBA franchise and that, one of the objectives of the one-year deal is to give prospects the opportunity to outright begin their professional careers all while receiving mentorship and training to improve their life skills.

If anything, Kai Sotto’s G-League will help get to the NBA but more importantly, the lessons he is about to learn will make him a better player not just on the court but also off the court.

Photo is from Rappler