CHICAGO — While not necessarily unique in its inception, It was a grand plan nonetheless.
Audition for the NBA through its collegiate farm while taking a bite at the lucrative Name, Image and Likeness ( NIL) money.
Unfortunately, a weird thing happened along the complex process to reacquire the amateur status of a professional hooper.
READ Cone rules out Kai Sotto playing in Asiad after NCAA door closes
Long story short, Kai Sotto’s bid to play in the US NCAA now lies in the ICU, gasping for air and barely clinging to life.
“Looks that way,” a source with knowledge of the situation told me on Thursday.
With that door closed, Kai Sotto, at least in our basketball region, became arguably the best player to not have a team.
DESTiNATION UNKNOWN.
So where does the Philippines’ 7-foot-3 hoops celebrity go from here?
“All are options,” his camp told me when I asked if a return to the Japan B.League is a landing spot.
Time, they say, eases everything. It also doesn’t wait for anyone.
The 2026-27 NBL season starts in Australia this September 19 while the B. League season opens three days later in the Land of the Rising Sun.
The Euroleague kicks off on September 24 while the Korean Basketball (KBL) begins hostilities on October 3.
It’s now a race against time to sign with a franchise wherever the best offer may come.
Meanwhile, Sotto’s camp denied rumors of a KBL union. “Not true,” they said of the chatter surrounding powerhouse Busan KCC Egis.
As good as that league is, it only pays Asian imports in the neighborhood of $30,000 a month which is way beneath Sotto’s salary grade.
NO PLACE LIKE HOME?
At the Koshigaya Alphas, Kai allegedly pulled in $60,000 a month. A source close to the phenom also revealed that the Hirohima Dragonflies once laid down a nearly $1 million a year offer at Sotto’s feet.
If Kai can’t beat the ticking clock as leagues worldwide open shop, he could end up sitting out the 2026-27 season.
Unless he enters the PBA Draft where he will be the consensus No. 1 pick.
READ With options thinning, will Kai Sotto ever consider playing in PBA?
“I’d love to have him at Ginebra,” said coach Tim Cone whose team owns the rights to the top pick via Terrafirma.
Cone clarified he has no power or sway in personnel decisions.
Loaded with cash, will the SMC conglomerate lure Kai with an offer he can’t refuse?
Most importantly, will Kai make the jump which will effectively kill his NBA dream?
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