Kai to play ball ‘Down Under’
SEVEN-FOOT-THREE Zachary “Kai” Sotto is moving “Down Under” by signing a multiyear deal with the Adelaide 36ers in the National Basketball League (NBL) in August in Australia, his agent Joel Bell said an online news conference organized by Smart on Wednesday.
But Sotto guaranteed that he would be available for the national team which play in the last window of the International Basketball Federation (Fiba) Asia Cup qualifiers from June 16 to 20 in Clark and the Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Belgrade, Serbia, from June 29 to July 4.
“Playing for the national team is the top goal of any player or athlete in his country. And I’m just excited for what’s ahead,” said Sotto, who was also named brand ambassador of PLDTSMART Prepaid.
“I am very excited to play also in a different competition, different style of play, different country [United States and Australia],” added Sotto, who is presently in Miami, Florida, with his parents.
Bell said they have reached an agreement with the 36ers to help Sotto’s development and possible entry into the 2022 National Basketball Association Rookie Draft.
“It was kind of a surprise to our people when I talked to several teams, and they weren’t going to draft him. So that’s off the table. So, we decided to look for other opportunities for him,” Bell said.
Sotto will return to the Philippines to rejoin Gilas in training soon.
Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas President Al Panlilio and Gilas Pilipinas program head Tab Baldwin also joined the virtual news conference.
The 36ers were in the seventh place last season. He will be coached there by Henry Conner.