Kai Sotto Thread

[PeeZones]

https://www.facebook.com/TheDeanQuin...7ixeMZG8gsEu3l

Quinito Henson
Kai Sotto’s Australian National Basketball League rights have been bought out … he has signed a 2-month contract to play for Hiroshima in the Japanese B-League from March 1 up to April … Kai will report to the Hiroshima team soon & likely fly to Manila from Japan to play for Gilas in the last FIBA World Cup Asia qualifying window on Feb 24 & 27 … talks are still ongoing for Kai to play for Gilas vs Lebanon & Jordan at the Philippine Arena this month … after his brief stint in Japan, Kai will play in the NBA Summer League & hopes it leads to an offer to play in the NBA … he has received several feelers to join NBA team workouts & an invite to display his wares in the NBA Summer League is expected!

[DAdmiral]

No need to buy out, as 36ers agreement allows him to explore opportunities in the off season

Kai's eventual career I think is Asian journey man import (top leagues allowing Asian Imports)

[paliganibossalfrancis]

No need to buy out, as 36ers agreement allows him to explore opportunities in the off season

Kai's eventual career I think is Asian journey man import (top leagues allowing Asian Imports)

Maybe this is the reason why 36ers kept him under 15 mins per game. There definitely was an agreement between Wasserman and Adelaide to keep Kai fresh for Gilas and NBA Summer League stint. There was no point for him to assert himself there (for now -- he can return for his 3rd year if the plan doesn't work out) and lodge long minutes, risk injury, if the goal is the NBA.

For example, no matter how many MVP awards Junemar Fajardo collects in the PBA, he will NEVER be considered as an NBA prospect. The same applies with the NBL. It still is, levels below the NBA game. When it comes to talent, scouts look at the upside, not the ceiling. Bryce Cotton won NBL MVP thrice! but never was called up again in the NBA.

Kai saying goodbye to Adelaide is a good sign, it only means his only focus now is getting to the league.

BLeague will be child's play for him. Highlights galore to boost his stock and conditioning. Key for Kai is to demonstrate dominance on a consistent basis. Whether that is in pros or FIBA-sanctioned competitions. Slowly, we're seeing how Team Wass is building his career. Gotta love it.

[Juan Lun]

Maybe this is the reason why 36ers kept him under 15 mins per game. There definitely was an agreement between Wasserman and Adelaide to keep Kai fresh for Gilas and NBA Summer League stint. There was no point for him to assert himself there (for now -- he can return for his 3rd year if the plan doesn't work out) and lodge long minutes, risk injury, if the goal is the NBA.

For example, no matter how many MVP awards Junemar Fajardo collects in the PBA, he will NEVER be considered as an NBA prospect. The same applies with the NBL. It still is, levels below the NBA game. When it comes to talent, scouts look at the upside, not the ceiling. Bryce Cotton won NBL MVP thrice! but never was called up again in the NBA.

Kai saying goodbye to Adelaide is a good sign, it only means his only focus now is getting to the league.

BLeague will be child's play for him. Highlights galore to boost his stock and conditioning. Key for Kai is to demonstrate dominance on a consistent basis. Whether that is in pros or FIBA-sanctioned competitions. Slowly, we're seeing how Team Wass is building his career. Gotta love it.

problem is this will be like TSF Kai again, more of a showcase on what Kai's strengths (something that scouts already know) instead of being in a higher tier league like NBL1 where he can focus more on his weaknesses (mobility against higher level of basketball)

[mapuakid]

Kai’s ig post seems he wouldn’t returning back to Adelaide/NBL.

[mapuakid]

problem is this will be like TSF Kai again, more of a showcase on what Kai's strengths (something that scouts already know) instead of being in a higher tier league like NBL1 where he can focus more on his weaknesses (mobility against higher level of basketball)

Agree juan

[Linusports]

No need to buy out, as 36ers agreement allows him to explore opportunities in the off season

Kai's eventual career I think is Asian journey man import (top leagues allowing Asian Imports)

Kai's eventual career I think as this Asian Import further broadens and solidifies his "Whole of Asia Marketability" (Australia, NZ, East Asia)

[Linusports]

It doesn't matter to downplayers and haters. Even in the NBL when we see Kai successfully defend the PNR, they'll act like it didn't happen and quote Gaze whenever Kai screws up the assignment another time. It's a no-win situation, and I'm already anticipating the fact that because it's not NBL1, that his time in the B League will not be helpful to his NBA journey.

The downplayers and kai critiques is putting him into a different level of pedestal... They repeatedly voices this lateral issues...

If they can't even see themselves Kai's improvements this past 3-5months (pnr defense, perimeter awareness, strength improvement) they've tainted how they view basketball as a whole then.

[DAdmiral]

The FIBA goal tending rules used outside the NBA , fits Kai's strengths . Being a top Asia Pacific league and FIBA center is indeed something , (history for a Filipino) similar to Zhou and Haddadi. Kai will leave his mark as the face of Gilas for years to come .

BTW a prime Haddadi and Zhou had latteral issues as well, but were relevant to the NBA in a different generation. (Yes 6 years ago is quite different) if it's any consolation to Kai.

Kai's lateral issues isn't simply opinon of fans much more people in IBN, but it's litterarally the confirmed assessment of why all NBA teams went as far as not inviting him in a list of 100 prospects , and why NBL execs as well didn't include him as next star or next generation award candidate. You can argue they're all wrong, but that's beside the point, that is indeed true that latterals weakness is the assessment opinion of decision makers (coaches). Gaze is just echoing what all coaches have said as confirmed by the outcome and feedback

[PeeZones]

https://www.spin.ph/basketball/nba/h...ome_featured_3


Homer Sayson
@HomerSayson
Kai Sotto will play in the 2023 NBA Summer League, a league source told. Up to six teams have shown interest to invite him to camp.

Im looking forward to Isaac Fotu against Kai Sotto matchup.hahaha

[The Gamer]

https://www.spin.ph/basketball/nba/h...ome_featured_3


Homer Sayson
@HomerSayson
Kai Sotto will play in the 2023 NBA Summer League, a league source told. Up to six teams have shown interest to invite him to camp.

Im looking forward to Isaac Fotu against Kai Sotto matchup.hahaha

isn't summer league recruitment too premature at this time of the year especially whilst the nba is in full swing? not hating but if teams are really interested in a player midseason shouldn't the logical thing be either a free agent contract offer or a 10 day contract or a 2 way contract?

[thatweirdguy]

isn't summer league recruitment too premature at this time of the year especially whilst the nba is in full swing? not hating but if teams are really interested in a player midseason shouldn't the logical thing be either a free agent contract offer or a 10 day contract or a 2 way contract?

It's Homer Sayson. I'd rather wait for someone a bit more reliable

[Sikatrix]

It's Homer Sayson. I'd rather wait for someone a bit more reliable

Homer gave himself an out. "interest"

[DAdmiral]

I actually totally believe Kai would get a summer league offer last summer and will get one this summer. (Definitely 100 % there would be interest), it's not saying much though, as Kai is definitely at least Parks, Baba level if not better .
BTW many players refuse to play in summer league when invited.

It's actually a win for an NBA team , if they can get Kai's camp to agree to a development contract g league affiliate (for cheap) with the enticement for him to work towards an NBA call up.
The bar for that contract, isn't high at all. With many imports and players like Cooks or Creek would never agree to..

2 way contracts limited to two per team, is a little harder to get as teams reserve this to those entering the draft this year .

Of course if a player is really good , nothing is stopping a NBA team from offering him a 10 day, 2 way or full contract. (This wil be official confirmation of the level of interest)

[Linusports]

https://www.spin.ph/basketball/nba/h...ome_featured_3


Homer Sayson
@HomerSayson
Kai Sotto will play in the 2023 NBA Summer League, a league source told. Up to six teams have shown interest to invite him to camp.

Im looking forward to Isaac Fotu against Kai Sotto matchup.hahaha

"Kai Sotto will play in the 2023 NBA Summer League, a league source told. Up to six teams have shown interest to invite him to camp."

up to 6 teams???

Now the downplayers are unsure, they rethinking if they should downplay NBA Summer League (cause up to six teams have shown interest for KAI)



*NBA Summer League is just "summer league" - just a weeklong avenue for NBA hopefuls to sweat and reps (albeit some NBA teams used this also to mini-test run players they showing interest to)

SL is like a verbal invite, its good for added PR
BUT you'd still need the actual invitation letter which is the camp invite.