Kai Sotto may wind up playing for a university or college in the United States with his Ignite teammates.
That’s because the National Basketball Association G League has offered to pay for the education of the G League players once they’re done preparing to become professional players in the future.
G League Brian Shaw said this is part of the long-term program that the G League has in store for the young players that they have taken in for its team of elite prospects known as Ignite.
“I don’t know what’s better than that, when you can train for your lifelong dream to play in the NBA, get paid for it, and still get your education paid for,” remarked Shaw.
NBA G League Ignite is focused on NBA Draft readiness and growth of professional life skills.
Since March, Sotto has joined top high school prospects Jalen Green, Jonathan Kuminga, Daishen Nix, and Isaiah Todd, along with NBA Global Academy graduate Princepal Singh in the team.
Also joining them is 6’5” guard Reggie Hearn.
For the last nine months, they have been receiving mentorship and life skills training as part of the G League’s professional development program.
The program will follow their development for the next four years, and hopefully, the players will be able to join an NBA squad or two for the next 10 years.
Shaw is serving as head coach of NBA G League Ignite, which is unaffiliated with any existing NBA G League franchise or NBA team.