The Australian championship keeps its giant of 2.21 meters. Since his name was not called during the last Draft, Kai Sotto decided to continue the adventure in NBL, within the Adelaide 36ers where he was still under contract. His NBA dream for the moment on hold, he is about to have to work hard to prove himself.
He will first have to convince his coach, CJ Bruton. This one says to expect from him from ” professionalism, so that he can achieve his goals and dreams. He will have to come on board. It’s about knowing what’s best for the team and how to help it succeed. But by playing the right way and having the chance to show the world what Kai Sotto can really do. “
The American-Australian technician is well placed to talk about this post-Draft context. He himself experienced it in 1997 when he was drafted in the second round (52nd pick) by the Grizzlies, then based in Vancouver. His rights were immediately traded to the Blazers but he ultimately never joined the American League.
His young interior, backed by Jeremy Lin, had sought to put the odds in his favor by signing up with the G-League Ignite team, becoming the first international player to join that program. But in February 2021, he left this team of young hopefuls due to international obligations with the national team of the Philippines, in the qualifiers for the FIBA Asia Cup 2021.
Gain the trust of your coach
His return to the United States had been complicated by the Covid. ” Kai and the team were aware of the challenges that had to be faced due to current international travel constraints, quarantine times and health and safety protocols. Kai will always be part of the big Ignite family, and we wish him continued success in pursuing his NBA dreams.“, said Shareef Abdur-Rahim, the president of the G-League.
Ahead of a potential big league opportunity, a new Australian season awaits him, with hopes of playing an important role. ” I think that’s what he wants, that’s what he said in the offseason. And he said to me: ‘I want you to believe in me, coach’. But if he wants me to believe in him, he has to show me something on the court every day. It’s something every coach wants to see from every player, every day.“
Last season, the Filipino, who played alongside Jordan Clarkson in selection this summer (13 points and 10 rebounds on average in two outings), was shooting 7.5 points and 4.5 rebounds in 15 minutes of play.
