KAI Sotto believes in second chances.
After a botched stint with Ignite in the NBA G League, the 7-foot-3 center is out to prove his worth with Adelaide in the National Basketball League of Australia, hoping it will pave the way for his coveted NBA dream.
“Right now, I’m just trying to be the best player that I can be every day. Just trying to be 0.001 percent better every day. Before I sleep at night, I just make sure that I do my best to help myself and help other people get better,” Sotto said in an article posted on the league’s website.
“The long-term goal is always to make it to the NBA. Hopefully, next year or the following year. That’s the ultimate dream,” he added.
Sotto, 19, said he is focused on being a defensive gem to the 36ers’ coming campaign in the NBL’s new season kicking off Dec. 3.
“I’m a rookie so I’ll start with my specialty, which is defense and rim protection,” Sotto said. “Offensively, we’re a good team and we share the ball so the offense will come to us naturally.”
Sotto vowed to show his real worth at Land Down Under.
“One of my biggest dreams was to represent my country, especially playing in FIBA tournaments. But right now, I’m going to be playing in the NBL and I’m the only Filipino to play here,” he said.
“The performance that I show will reflect on the Philippines, so I have to make sure that I play the right way and play my best every time I step on the court.”
Adelaide came off a seventh-place finish with a 13-23 card last year behind star Josh Giddey, who was chosen sixth overall by Oklahoma City in the NBA draft last July.
The NBL’s season was initially set to kick off on Nov. 18 but was mothballed due to travel issues and vaccination woes in Australia.
Sotto was signed by Adelaide last April.
