Kai awaits 36ers OK
Kai Sotto is committed to play for Gilas in the FIBA World Cup next year and likely to also suit up in the FIBA World Cup Asia fourth qualifying window against Lebanon in Beirut on Aug. 25 and Saudi Arabia at the MOA Arena on Aug. 29. Gilas head coach Chot Reyes said yesterday he has discussed plans with Tony Ronzone, senior director for basketball of Los Angeles sports marketing/talent management company Wasserman, on Sotto’s involvement to assure it’s on the pathway leading to achieving his NBA dream.
Sotto will play the second and last year of his Adelaide 36ers contract in the Australian league starting on Oct. 1. He’s been called to attend the Adelaide camp this month with the preseason schedule to reportedly include training in the US and playing games against the Oklahoma City Thunder and Phoenix Suns.
“I think the meeting with Tony, a friend from way back, was positive,” said Reyes. “He asked about our system, how we plan to utilize Kai. I explained we’re not a low-post type of team, that our strength is quickness, that we’ll use Kai in pick-and-pops, capitalizing on his versatility to play in and out. I also talked about our defensive philosophy. I assured Tony he’ll be a focal point of our offense and defense.”
Ronzone is a former Dallas, Minnesota and Detroit executive in the NBA. He’s no stranger to Philippine basketball. Ronzone has taken at least 10 trips to Manila since the 1980s when he played on the LA Jaguars squad with Sean Chambers in a PBA invitational tournament. He was previously married to a Filipina, Liwayway Ledesma of Davao, with whom he has two children. In a 2004 interview, Ronzone said, “I love the Philippines (and) I remember going to Mayon Volcano, drinking San Miguel Beer…I remember Norman Black, Tim Cone and Robert Jaworski.”
Since missing out on the NBA draft last June, Sotto has immersed himself training in a Ohio facility to improve on his strength and conditioning. “Kai’s eager to work on what he learned from NBA coaches in his predraft tryouts,” said a source close to Sotto. “There are offers on the table to report to NBA camps but Wasserman is studying the best options as the goal is for Kai to become a long-term NBA player, not just a player who can be a marketing attraction. Playing for Adelaide will mean getting even more ready to break into the NBA. Kai’s been invited to play in the FIBA window and he’s hoping to work out a suitable schedule with Adelaide to be able to play for Gilas this month.”