Ex-Gilas coach: Top flight competition good for Kai
CEBU - Former Gilas Pilipinas head coach Chot Reyes says the kind of top-flight competition that Filipino basketball wunderkind Kai Sotto will face on a daily basis will go a long way in helping him take a step closer to the dream of one day playing in the National Basketball Association (NBA).
More than just a 7-foot-2 beanpole, Sotto has a versatile skill set that has made him one of the most coveted international basketball prospects today. However, Reyes believes a little tough love will make Sotto even better.
“I have no worries about Kai’s skills because he has all the skills for a basketball player. He’s a great ball-handler, a great shooter, great passer because he sees the game very well. For me it’s really his strength,” said Reyes during the Coaches Unfiltered webcast on Thursday evening.
“There are times he plays with competitions that are not on the same level as he is, and I’m not too interested in that. I want him to get an opportunity to play against real top-flight caliber competition,” Reyes added.
Sotto will get just that with his upcoming stint in the NBA G-League select program where he will train with the likes of Fil-American standout Jalen Green, Isaiah Todd, Daishen Nix, Jonathan Kuminga and Princepal Singh.
“Being around Jalen Green and all that, everyday he’s going to get daily top-level competition, good practices in and that’s what Kai needs,” Reyes said. “He needs to toughen up. Kailangan niya mabugbog, play against people who are bigger, stronger, and better than he is, which he will never get here.” JNP/Sunstar Cebu
Sotto is actually the very first international prospect to go through the G-League’s select program and Reyes is happy that Sotto and the rest of his family picked this route for him.
“For now, that’s the best option, because the people behind G League are also the NBA people. This is a project of the NBA, so it’s a good strategically for Kai to be there so he’s already in the NBA radar and part of the NBA family. It’s going to improve his chances of eventually getting drafted in the NBA,” said Reyes.