OKINAWA, Japan – More than his persistence, Kai Sotto vouches on his unwavering patience as he continues to chase the NBA dream.
The Yokohama B-Corsairs center doesn’t mind being a journeyman as long as it’s beneficial for his career and personal growth.
Already in his third overseas country, Sotto is making the most of the experience, still dead set on the same goal.
Kai dreams big
“Simula bata pa ako big dreamer na ako. Dream ko maglaro sa highest level which is the NBA, so I’ll do whatever it takes to get there, kahit san pa ako mapunta, pupuntahan ko yan, maka-abot lang don,” Sotto told SPIN Life during the 2024 B.League All-Star Weekend.
Before Japan, Kai had seen action in the Australian NBL, and in Orlando Magic and G-League Ignite in the United States.
The 7-foot-3 star, who just recovered from a back injury, bared that he never lost hope after getting left undrafted last year.
“It’s not the end for me,” he said. “21 pa lang ako pero ang dami ko nang napuntahan, nalaruan, natutunan, iba’t ibang style and level of competitiveness, at alam ko marami pa akong matutunan sa career ko.”
Sotto plays against ex-NBA pros
In the B.League, Sotto is fixated on competing with the veterans, going by their pace, and getting the big ‘W’ for his team.
“’Yung mga nakakatapat ko ditong import mga magagaling talaga, NBA ex-pros kaya always a challenge kasi ako yung dumedepensa, every night, walang day off. Para sakin kasi, ang kalaban ko is yung best player ng kalaban, at yun ang biggest factor bakit ako naglaro dito."
For Sotto, he might be going the longer, tougher way, but the NBA dream remains alive.
He reiterated: “NBA ang goal ko, and I will do whatever it takes to get there.”
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