Kai Sotto is a name that has been making waves in the basketball world. Born on May 11, 2002, in Las Piñas, Philippines, Sotto is a towering 7-foot-2 center who has been dubbed as the “future of Philippine basketball.” Despite his young age, he has already made significant strides in his basketball career, and his journey to international stardom is nothing short of inspiring.
Kai Sotto was born to a family of basketball players. His father, Ervin Sotto, played in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) for the Tanduay Rhum Masters. His mother, Pamela, was a varsity player in high school. His brother, Ervin Jr., is also a basketball player.
Kai’s basketball journey started when he was just six years old. He would watch his father’s games and practice with him at home. At eight years old, Kai started playing in local basketball leagues. His height and natural talent quickly became evident, and he soon caught the attention of coaches and scouts.
In 2018, at the age of 16, Sotto was already making headlines in Philippine basketball. He played for Ateneo High School in the UAAP (University Athletic Association of the Philippines) juniors’ division and led his team to the championship title. He also earned the Finals MVP award and was named the season’s Best Center.
After his impressive performance in the UAAP, Sotto caught the attention of international scouts. In 2019, he signed with The Skill Factory, a basketball academy in Atlanta, Georgia, to further develop his skills and gain exposure to the US basketball scene.
In the same year, Sotto was named to the Jr. NBA Global Championship Asia Pacific All-Star team. He led his team to the championship game, where they lost to the US team. However, Sotto’s performance earned him a spot in the All-Tournament team and put him on the radar of international scouts and NBA teams.
Kai Sotto’s future in basketball looks promising. In 2021, he signed with the Adelaide 36ers, an Australian basketball team, to play in the National Basketball League (NBL) and gain more experience before pursuing his NBA dreams.
Aside from basketball, Sotto is also passionate about music and has released a single titled “Feelin’ Alive.” He also founded the Kaiju Academy, a basketball and music school in the Philippines, where he aims to mentor and inspire young athletes and artists.
Kai Sotto’s journey from a young boy playing in local basketball leagues to an international basketball sensation is a testament to his talent, hard work, and dedication to the sport. His story is an inspiration to many aspiring basketball players in the Philippines and around the world. As he continues to make his mark in the basketball world, there is no doubt that Kai Sotto is a name that will be remembered for years to come.
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