Kai

Sotto

Sotto, who was not selected in June’s draft, will spend another season with the 36ers as he attempts to work his way into the NBA. In 2021-22, the 7-foot-3 pivot posted averages of 7.5 points and 4.5 rebounds per game. The expectation is that Sotto will be an even bigger part of 36ers coach CJ Bruton’s plans in 2022-23.

Sotto, a 7-foot-3 center who is playing for the G-League’s Ignite team, will not be in Orlando when teams begin to arrive on January 26. He will instead prepare to play three games with the Philippines: two against South Korea (February 18 and 22) and one against Indonesia (February 20). “The G League agreed for me to meet my previous commitments to play for the national team,” Sotto told Forbes.com’s Adam Zagoria. “They have asked for me to immediately report back to the bubble after my last national team game.” The Ignite team, which is coached by Brian Shaw, is a mixture of young NBA prospects and veterans who have prior G-League and/or NBA/international experience. Jalen Green and Jonathan Kuminga, who are projected lottery picks, are also on the team.

It’s another tough blow for the NCAA with Sotto joining other top prospects such as Jalen Green, Isaiah Todd and Daishen Nix on the new G League team in Southern California. The new team is a “select team” that won’t be affiliated with any individual G League franchise and will play a limited schedule. Sotto will make a six-figure salary and develop in an NBA atmosphere as he prepares for the 2021 draft.