Kai Sotto hopeful to join Gilas in next window of FIBA qualifiers, will depend on G League schedule

Filipino hoops sensation Kai Sotto said there is a "higher probability" he can join Gilas Pilipinas, should he be tapped for the upcoming window of the FIBA Asia Cup 2021 qualifiers.

However, it will all depend on what the NBA G League schedule will be.

"I think [there's a] higher probability for me to play in this upcoming window but it also depends on the schedule because they said we might have G League next year," Sotto said in an interview with the media early Thursday morning (local time).

The 7-foot-2 big man is part of the NBA G League select team "Ignite," together with other top basketball prospects Daishen Nix, Isaiah Todd, Jonathan Kuminga, Princepal Singh, and Fil-Am Jalen Green. 

While Sotto's possible Gilas stint depends on the upcoming schedule of the G League, the teen sensation is hopeful that he can join the national team in the next FIBA window in February 2021. "It just depends on the schedule but I really look forward to playing in the next window," he said.

The Philippines has offered to host the next window of the continental qualifiers, following the model of the Philippine Basketball Association bubble. 

In the recently concluded November window of the FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers in Manama, Bahrain, Gilas Pilipinas swept Thailand to notch their second and third wins in the tournament. 

Sotto said he was impressed by the performance of the young Gilas squad, whose members are also some of his friends back here in the Philippines.

"It's exciting to see the future for the country when it comes to playing international tournaments," he said. — LA, GMA News