CHICAGO - Kai Sotto and the Hiroshima Dragonflies are parting ways, multiple sources in the Japan B.League told me this morning.
Sotto's camp also confirmed the separation, but pending the finalization of the paperwork anytime today (Japanese time) the name of Kai's new destination is being withheld.
However, I am told, he is headed to another B1 (Division I) team.
Win-win situation for Kai, Hiroshima
As his basketball journey continues, Sotto's reps believe that "moving to another ballclub will provide a better situation" for the 7-foot-4 Filipino center.
Nursing a back injury, Sotto hasn't played at all this season in Japan. But after consulting with an expert German doctor and several NBA physicians, he has resumed training and is expected to play with his new team as soon as next weekend.
Sotto ends his stint with Hiroshima having played in 24 games last season where he averaged 8.9 points, 6 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.2 blocks per game. His contract, which will be absorbed by his new team, expires at the conclusion of the 2023-24 B League season.
Before invading the Land of the Rising Sun, Sotto graced the Adelaide 36ers of the NBL for two seasons, making his mark on 53 games where he averaged 7.5 points, 5.1 rebounds and 1 block a contest.
When healthy, Kai was a force with the Dragonflies on and off the court. He was a decent scorer, a reliable defender and a rim protector. His popularity also bumped live and streaming viewership of Hiroshima games.
GOING TO THE NBA IS STILL THE ULTIMATE GOAL
But just like in Australia, where playing time was a hindrance to his improvement (15.5 minutes per), the Dragonflies also held back Sotto's growth, giving him only 19.1 minutes per game.
The Dragonflies, meanwhile, had grown increasingly disappointed with Kai's continued absence, sources told.
Hence, the mutual agreement to separate.
This latest twist in Kai's story doesn't alter the path toward achieving his ultimate dream.
"He has a full-time trainer now. We expect him to play 30 minutes a game in his new team. We still want him to gain 15 pounds of muscle. He is only 21 and the window is still wide open to make it to the NBA," one of his reps told me.
Once he leaves Japan, Sotto will proceed to the US to train further. The goal is to enter a few NBA mini camps and secure another stint at the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas.
Last July, Sotto appeared in 2 games with the Orlando Magic and acquitted himself relatively well before a lower back strain held him to just a total output of 6 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists and 4 blocks.
Sotto's magic ride saw him convert 3-of-10 field goals while missing both his two 3-point attempts.
This July, though, hopefully with a healthy back to lift him, the expectation is that he will turn that corner.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
