Sotto makes right move
As far as Norman Black is concerned, Kai Sotto made the right move of bringing his talent to Australia.
Black, one of the few coaches who saw Sotto in action after a very long stay in the United States, said the 18-year-old wunderkind needs all kinds of exposure so going to the National Basketball League (NBL) in Australia is such a great decision.
After a botched stint in the National Basketball Association (NBA) G League, Sotto signed a multi-year deal with Adelaide 36ers in the NBL.
He will join the team in October and will stay there until March before undergoing training in preparation for the NBA Draft in July.
Black, the head coach of Meralco in the Philippine Basketball Association, said it doesn’t matter where Sotto plays for as long as he gets high-level competition that would prepare him for the NBA Draft.
“I think it was a good move if it gives him a chance to play,” Black told the Daily Tribune in a message.
“He needs to play so that he can develop, and the NBL is a very competitive league.”
Black said he believes Sotto could become the first Filipino in the NBA.
In fact, when he saw him for the first time since training with Ignite in the NBA G League, he was delighted with the progress he had and the fluidity in his movement that he developed while playing against full-grown men in the United States.
I think it was a good move if it gives him a chance to play.
Although the Gilas training camp where Black and Sotto worked out eventually got scrapped, the grand slam mentor still believes that the phenom is ready for the big stage.
And the NBL is his first step to making it to the NBA. “It will also give the NBA scouts a chance to monitor his progress,” Black said.
“I’m also hoping he will be able to join the Gilas team in its upcoming competitions.”