After two years of waiting, Adelaide 36ers’ rookie Kai Sotto of the Philippines said he is ready for the 2022 NBA Draft.
The 7’3” Sotto said this after he came up with a solid finish in his season with the 36ers in the Australian National Basketball League.
Sotto had been scoring in double-figures in his last two games with Adelaide and even had a career-high 21 points against Brisbane in April.
The 19-year-old Sotto posted his decision on his Instagram account on Thursday and thanked Adelaide for helping him develop his game during the season.
“I have declared for the 2022 NBA Draft. Please pray for and support me during my quest to fulfil my ultimate dream,” said Sotto in a message to his well-wishers on Instagram.
According to the website nbadraftroom.com, Sotto is expected to be picked in the second round of the draft, which is teeming with big men.
The website listed Sotto as the 17th-best center in the coming draft, with Chet Holmgren (7’0”, Gonzaga), Jalen Duren (6’10”, Memphis) and Mark Williams (7’0”, Duke) occupying the Top 3.
Other slotmen ahead of Sotto in the list are 6’11” Khalifa Diop of Senegal, 7’1” Christian Koloko of Arizona, 6’11” Walker Kessler of Auburn, 6’11” Ismael Kamagate of France, 6’9” Oscar Tshiebwe of Kentucky, 7’3” Zvonimir Ivisic of Croatia, 7’1” Ibou Dianko Badji of Senegal and 7’0” Kofi Cockburn of Illinois.
Sotto made a decision to turn pro two years ago, leading him to join the first batch of G League Ignite players.
But Sotto was not able to play a game in the NBA’s developmental league after a call up to the Gilas Pilipinas national men’s basketball team kept him to joining a G League tournament that was held under a bubble in Florida.
He eventually signed with Adelaide in the NBL as a Special Restricted Player.
In his first season with the 36ers, Sotto normed 7.52 points on 50 percent shooting with 4.48 rebounds.
“Thank you, Adelaide! Thank you, Australia! It has been an unforgettable year! To the 36ers’ management, my teammates, my coaching staff, and my agent Joel Bell, I am a better man and a better professional player than a year ago because you all took me under your wing and challenged and mentored me to live up to expectations,” said Sotto on IG.