Dream still alive
Black confident over Sotto’s NBA chances
The door of the National Basketball Association (NBA) is still wide open for Kai Sotto to enter. Meralco coach Norman Black said despite his bungled stint at the NBA G League, the 18-year-old wunderkind could still revive his dream of becoming the first full-blooded Filipino to play in the most glamorous basketball league in the world.
Black knows what it takes to see action in the NBA.
Before emerging as one of the best imports in Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) history, Black had an outstanding career for Lancaster Red Roses and Philadelphia Kings in the Continental Basketball Association, paving the way for him to play for the Detroit Pistons in the NBA.
He averaged only 2.7 points in three games during the 1980-81 season, but seeing action in the NBA was already enough to spark a very successful overseas career.
“I think Kai, being only 18 years old, had his whole career and many other options ahead of him,” said the 63-year-old tactician, who has 11 titles as a PBA.
“I’m sure his group of advisers led by his father will give him sound advice on what path his career should take. I’m sure they have his best interest in mind.”
Black was one of the few coaches who were given an opportunity to check if Sotto is indeed an NBA material.
As assistant coach of Gilas Pilipinas, Black saw first-hand the improvement of the 7-foot-3 phenom while they were training inside a bubble at the Inspire Sports Academy in Calamba.
Although the third window of the 2021 FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers got postponed, Black was convinced that Sotto has what it takes to make it to the major league.
“Having been with him in the bubble for a week, the one thing I can say is that he has improved a lot since high school,” Black said. “He is now stronger and more skilled.” But the door of the NBA G League was already closed. In a statement, NBA G League president Shareef Abdur-Rahim said Sotto and his club — Team Ignite — both know that it is going to be a massive challenge for them if he would still enter the G League bubble in Orlando with the preliminaries already winding down.
“Kai and the team both understood the challenges for him to rejoin Ignite given the current international travel constraints, quarantine times and health and safety protocols,” Abdur-Rahim said.
“Kai will always be part of the extended Ignite family and we wish his continued success as he pursues his NBA dreams.” Still, Black said Sotto should not be discouraged. After all, there are still a lot of routes heading for the NBA, including the Euroleague, which NBA stars like Luka Doncic, Ricky Rubio and Kristaps Porzingis used as springboard.
“For me, the key is to continue working hard on his game to reach the next level,” Black said.
“One thing is for sure, if and when he is ready for the next step, the NBA will be watching and it will be the one to find him.”
One thing is for sure, if and when he is ready for the next step, the NBA will be watching and it will be the one to find him.