2025-11-17 11:00
When I first saw Kai Sotto step onto the court during the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers back in November 2024, I knew we were witnessing something special. As someone who has followed international basketball for over a decade, I've seen plenty of promising talents come and go, but there was something different about this 7'3" Filipino center. What really caught my eye wasn't just his impressive height or his smooth footwork - it was those ST3 Glory sneakers he debuted during that crucial tournament. Now, I've always believed that a player's choice of footwear tells you something about their mentality, and Kai's selection of the ST3 Glory spoke volumes about his readiness to shine on the international stage.
During those qualifiers against New Zealand and Hong Kong, Kai didn't just play - he dominated. I remember specifically watching the game against New Zealand where he put up 18 points, 12 rebounds, and 4 blocks in just 28 minutes of play. The statistics alone were impressive, but what the numbers don't show is how he completely changed the defensive dynamics for Gilas Pilipinas. His presence in the paint forced opponents to alter their shooting trajectories, and his ability to run the floor at his size was something I haven't seen since a young Kristaps Porzingis entered the league. The Philippines ultimately secured their spot in the Asia Cup proper in Saudi Arabia, and honestly, without Kai's contributions, I'm not sure they would have qualified so convincingly.
Looking at his development trajectory, I'm genuinely excited about where Kai could end up in the next 2-3 years. Having analyzed hundreds of prospects throughout my career, I'd put his ceiling at becoming a solid NBA rotation player, potentially even a starter for the right team. His shooting touch from beyond the arc - he shot 38% from three during those qualifiers - combined with his rim protection abilities makes him exactly the type of modern big man that NBA teams are desperate to find. I've spoken with several scouts who believe he could average 12 points, 8 rebounds, and 2 blocks per game in his rookie season if he lands with a team that understands how to utilize his unique skill set.
The pathway to the NBA won't be easy, though. Kai needs to add about 15-20 pounds of muscle to withstand the physicality of the league, and his lateral quickness could use some improvement when switching onto smaller guards. But what encourages me is his work ethic - I've heard from people close to the Philippine basketball program that he's one of the first to arrive at practice and the last to leave. That kind of dedication, combined with his natural gifts, makes me believe he'll address these areas of improvement faster than most critics expect.
Personally, I see him being selected somewhere in the late first round to early second round of the 2025 NBA Draft. Teams like the Denver Nuggets or Miami Heat would be perfect fits because they have systems that maximize skilled big men without demanding they be traditional back-to-the-basket centers. Imagine Kai learning from Nikola Jokic or Bam Adebayo - that kind of mentorship could accelerate his development exponentially. The international experience he's gaining with the Philippine national team is invaluable too, as it's exposing him to different styles of play that many American prospects don't encounter until they're already in the league.
What really sets Kai apart in my assessment is his basketball IQ. During that Hong Kong game in the qualifiers, there was a particular possession where he recognized a double team coming and made a perfect skip pass to an open shooter in the corner. Those are the kinds of reads that you can't teach - either a player has that court vision or they don't. Combined with his improving outside shot and defensive timing, I'm confident he'll carve out a meaningful NBA career. The journey from international prospect to NBA contributor is never linear, but if anyone has the tools and temperament to make that transition successfully, it's Kai Sotto. The basketball world should keep a close eye on this young man because I have a strong feeling we'll be talking about him for years to come.
