Filipino Players in Foreign Leagues

[C2Hamm]

he is in the smith league -> https://www.instagram.com/thesmithleague/?hl=en
looks like part of the crowd though and not playing.

[C2Hamm]

he is in the smith league -> https://www.instagram.com/thesmithleague/?hl=en
looks like part of the crowd though and not playing.

last before i go

he's doing drills!! -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kKbCr1Cfpp8

[ARMIR]

To be fair… every coach will do also if they having JC in their team… cmon bro… he’s former 6th man of the year… but for sure kai will be our no.1 option on defense… this should be Kai’s focus right now… his ticket to the nba right now is to be good defender down low… I don’t care if he will score below what we expect but if somehow he’s impressive on defensive end then scouts will notice that

Worse case scenario,Kai won't be in WC2023,since if they only want him on the defense side only and not show how he could be a dominant big man,they might opt out and just concentrate for next year's draft.

[Rodbi]

To be fair… every coach will do also if they having JC in their team… cmon bro… he’s former 6th man of the year… but for sure kai will be our no.1 option on defense… this should be Kai’s focus right now… his ticket to the nba right now is to be good defender down low… I don’t care if he will score below what we expect but if somehow he’s impressive on defensive end then scouts will notice that

This, and also grabbing at least 10 rebounds and 2 blks per 25 minutes of FIBA play. I think this is doable on Kai's part if he's to focus and exert more energy on defense than on offense.

[PaulLee3]

""Adelaide 36ers vs. OKC Thunder and Phoenix Suns pre season games. Kai Sotto vs. Chet Holmgren and Deandre Ayton. If Kai have a good performance. NBA Scouts are going to notice him"

[thatweirdguy]

probably because they dont have a good contract yet. it'll be hard to get one if Kai gets injured before he signs anything.

But why is he playing in the Smith league? It's a low reward high risk move IMO

[thatweirdguy]

Worse case scenario,Kai won't be in WC2023,since if they only want him on the defense side only and not show how he could be a dominant big man,they might opt out and just concentrate for next year's draft.

They already said they'd build a team around JC. Kai better get used to playing with a ball dominant player because that's how they usually play in the NBA

[magic_chiongson]

This, and also grabbing at least 10 rebounds and 2 blks per 25 minutes of FIBA play. I think this is doable on Kai's part if he's to focus and exert more energy on defense than on offense.

imo that's very hard to do, top nba big men are barely averaging that in 30+ mins. i'd say if he can have the same stats as his fiba u18 averages that would be good enough, something around 12ppg 8 reb @ 20 mpg. also despite him not averaging huge blocks numbers, he clearly alters a lot of shots and makes players think twice of scoring in the paint against him.

[Bonifacio]

imo that's very hard to do, top nba big men are barely averaging that in 30+ mins. i'd say if he can have the same stats as his fiba u18 averages that would be good enough, something around 12ppg 8 reb @ 20 mpg. also despite him not averaging huge blocks numbers, he clearly alters a lot of shots and makes players think twice of scoring in the paint against him.

It will be very difficult for Kai to replicate his Fiba U18 stats. remember, at FIBA U18, he was the focus of the team.....with this Gilas version, will he get the same playing time or would they split the playing time with Fajardo and Japeth.....Can Chot bench Fajardo and Japeth to give more playing time to Kai?

[Juan Lun]

Kai awaits 36ers OK
Joaquin Henson

MANILA, Philippines — Kai Sotto is committed to play for Gilas in the FIBA World Cup next year and likely to also suit up in the FIBA World Cup Asia fourth qualifying window against Lebanon in Beirut on Aug. 25 and Saudi Arabia at the MOA Arena on Aug. 29. Gilas head coach Chot Reyes said yesterday he has discussed plans with Tony Ronzone, senior director for basketball of Los Angeles sports marketing/talent management company Wasserman, on Sotto’s involvement to assure it’s on the pathway leading to achieving his NBA dream.

Sotto will play the second and last year of his Adelaide 36ers contract in the Australian league starting on Oct. 1. He’s been called to attend the Adelaide camp this month with the preseason schedule to reportedly include training in the US and playing games against the Oklahoma City Thunder and Phoenix Suns.

“I think the meeting with Tony, a friend from way back, was positive,” said Reyes. “He asked about our system, how we plan to utilize Kai. I explained we’re not a low-post type of team, that our strength is quickness, that we’ll use Kai in pick-and-pops, capitalizing on his versatility to play in and out. I also talked about our defensive philosophy. I assured Tony he’ll be a focal point of our offense and defense.”

Ronzone is a former Dallas, Minnesota and Detroit executive in the NBA. He’s no stranger to Philippine basketball. Ronzone has taken at least 10 trips to Manila since the 1980s when he played on the LA Jaguars squad with Sean Chambers in a PBA invitational tournament. He was previously married to a Filipina, Liwayway Ledesma of Davao, with whom he has two children. In a 2004 interview, Ronzone said, “I love the Philippines (and) I remember going to Mayon Volcano, drinking San Miguel Beer…I remember Norman Black, Tim Cone and Robert Jaworski.”

Since missing out on the NBA draft last June, Sotto has immersed himself training in a Ohio facility to improve on his strength and conditioning. “Kai’s eager to work on what he learned from NBA coaches in his pre-draft tryouts,” said a source close to Sotto. “There are offers on the table to report to NBA camps but Wasserman is studying the best options as the goal is for Kai to become a long-term NBA player, not just a player who can be a marketing attraction. Playing for Adelaide will mean getting even more ready to break into the NBA. Kai’s been invited to play in the FIBA window and he’s hoping to work out a suitable schedule with Adelaide to be able to play for Gilas this month.”

https://www.msn.com/en-ph/sports/oth...38114988e6adbb

the goal is for Kai to become a long-term NBA player, not just a player who can be a marketing attraction - This.. Looks like Kai and team specifically wanted this with his new agent - no more marketing attraction over actual talent

I'm still happy that Kai did not suit up for Gilas last asia cup, right now Gilas is more of a distraction - the goal is to get ready for the next NBL season, which means making the most of the off season by training and working on his weaknesses.. Something that he can't do playing with Gilas

[TheRodster21]

It will be very difficult for Kai to replicate his Fiba U18 stats. remember, at FIBA U18, he was the focus of the team.....with this Gilas version, will he get the same playing time or would they split the playing time with Fajardo and Japeth.....Can Chot bench Fajardo and Japeth to give more playing time to Kai?

I feel like Kai would have more impact than those two and would be a better option as a starter realistically. Unless there are seniority rules Kai should get more minutes as he can provide more on offense and defense than both.

In FIBA, stars don’t necessarily go high anyways and Kai isn’t a great rebounder despite his size, If what coach Chot says is true then I think Kai will do Better than he does with Adelaide but his shooting has to be on.

[ARMIR]

They already said they'd build a team around JC. Kai better get used to playing with a ball dominant player because that's how they usually play in the NBA

With JC around and the other shoot happy guards,he will still get his touches,but not as much as they would want to.But with him facing quality FIBA big men,he will have his highlights and will likely rise to the top if some games,if he really work on it.

[ARMIR]

""Adelaide 36ers vs. OKC Thunder and Phoenix Suns pre season games. Kai Sotto vs. Chet Holmgren and Deandre Ayton. If Kai have a good performance. NBA Scouts are going to notice him"

When are the dates of this games?

[magic_chiongson]

It will be very difficult for Kai to replicate his Fiba U18 stats. remember, at FIBA U18, he was the focus of the team.....with this Gilas version, will he get the same playing time or would they split the playing time with Fajardo and Japeth.....Can Chot bench Fajardo and Japeth to give more playing time to Kai?

i think it's doable, being then a 17 yr old he didn't exactly dominate the u18/u19 tournament. he averaged around 12 pts 8 rebs. most of the touches went to our guards & tamayo

[jasper222]

""Adelaide 36ers vs. OKC Thunder and Phoenix Suns pre season games. Kai Sotto vs. Chet Holmgren and Deandre Ayton. If Kai have a good performance. NBA Scouts are going to notice him"

Chet is already ahead of Kai on NBA training alone. I don't think he's going to have a good performance, 36ers must play him first which I doubt.