Meet Kai Sotto, the towering basketball player who dreams of playing in the NBA
At 21 years old, towering Filipino basketball player Kai Sotto has been making rounds online once again after being chosen by the Orlando Magic at the NBA Summer League, the second Filipino to play in the off-season tournament.
The son of PBA player Ervin Sotto, Kai, who stands at 7 foot and three inches, studied high school at the Ateneo de Manila University, which he represented in the UAAP for three seasons.
After graduating from high school, Kai was considered a four-star recruit by major publishers in the US. Reports stated that he was recruited by several NCAA Division I programs but he forgone his college eligibility when he entered the NBA G League Ignite.
Unfortunately, Kai missed several games in the NBA G League Ignite after he opted to play for the Philippine men's national basketball team at the 2021 FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers.
As he parted ways with the NBA G League Ignite, Kai signed a contract to play for the Adelaide 36ers in the Australian National Basketball League. He played in the Land Down Under for three seasons.
In April 2022, Kai declared for the 2022 NBA draft. Although he worked out for multiple NBA teams, he went undrafted.
When his contract with the 36ers expired, Kai decided not to renew it. He signed with Japanese B.League team Hiroshima Dragonfiles instead.
In June 2023, Kai was invited by the Orlando Magic to play in the 2023 NBA Summer League.
GET TO KNOW MORE ABOUT KAI IN THIS GALLERY:
Ateneo de Manila High School
Kai donned the Ateneo jersey for three seasons during his high school days, where he got the Rookie of the Year award, one MVP, one Finals MVP, and two mythical five selections.
Philippine national men's U-18
Kai wore the Philippines jersey as he took part in U18 Asian Championship in 2018.
Foregoing eligibility
After high school, Kai joined The Skill Factory, a preparatory program in Atlanta, Georgia that trains potential NBA players.
NBA G League
Although he was reported to have been recruited by several NCAA Division I schools, Kai foregone his college eligibility when he joined NBA G League Ignite team.
Gilas Pilipinas
At the 2021 FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers, Kai became part of the senior's squad for the first time. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic and time constraints, Kai and the NBA G League Ignite team "mutually decided" to part ways.
Adelaide 36ers
After he parted ways with the NBA G League Ignite team, Kai signed a contract with the Adelaide 36ers of the Australian National Basketball League.
2022 NBA Draft
In 2022, Kai entered the 2022 NBA Draft. Unfortunately, he went undrafted despite working out with multiple NBA teams.
Australia National Basketball League
After he went undrafted in the NBA Draft, Kai returned to Australia with the Adelaide 36ers, playing for two more years with the team.
2023 NBA Summer League
In May 2023, Kai got a callup from the Orlando Magic to play with the team in the off-season tournament NBA Summer League.
