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Kai Sotto has been working with the G League Ignite since August in California and has played two scrimmages against G League veterans in the past week.
In games, Sotto scored five points, five rebounds and two blocks in a 113-107 loss before posting six points, six rebounds and a single block in a 125-99 loss on his second hit.
Despite the low numbers for both games, Ignite coach Brian Shaw is still happy with what Sotto brings to the game.
“He’s not going to get big numbers in a situation like this because it’s a guard game,” Shaw admitted. “He doesn’t get as many touches as everyone else, but you can see his skill set, his IQ, he does a lot of good things on the court, so you can’t judge him by how many points he gets here and there.”
“He’s getting stronger, he’s getting a better understanding, he’s getting better and I’m really, really impressed with his skill set for a guy his size,” added Shaw.
Sotto also had the privilege of working alongside NBA great Amir Johnson, who revealed that he spends a lot of time with the Filipino prospect in the weight room.
“I find myself working with Kai a lot in the weight room,” Johnson said. “Kai has a lot of skill, and I feel like he has to work a bit on his footwork, that could be better, and strength. I feel like those are the two things he’s lacking in him.”
“But for skill work? As an eight-foot man? He’s an amazing man,” Johnson said. “To shoot, step up like a big guy and get a lot of footwork at the post. He has it all.”
The challenge for Sotto is adjusting to an increasingly dependent game on the guard, which has changed the role of a great man in the NBA in recent years. Johnson, in particular, has watched the game evolve up close since his first year in the NBA in 2005 and is helping Sotto fit into the modern game.
“As a big man, there is always room for improvement and that is why we are here in the G League to work in every place on the court. Because that is the NBA today,” explained Johnson. “You want to be able to dial from one to five and at the same time be that dominant postman.”
“You want to be able to do that, and he (Sotto) is working on that, he’s going to get there.”
Sotto and Gilas
When asked to comment on Sotto’s plans to dress for Gilas Pilipinas in the upcoming FIBA Asia qualifying window in February, Shaw said he didn’t know, but added that it is good to want to play and represent his country. He also believes Sotto would face tougher competition if he stays on the show in February.
“For Kai, all the basketball that he can play will benefit him,” Shaw said at a post-hit news conference. “I still believe that the competition that he would play here, if we’re in a G League bubble or whatever, it will be better competition than he would play there.”
“But that is a decision that he will make and with which we will have to live.”
Sotto previously said that he would be happy to prepare for Gilas Pilipinas for the next FIBA Asia qualifying window, but all of that would depend on what the G League has planned for the coming months.
There has been talk of a possible G League bubble in the first quarter of next year, but plans have yet to be finalized.
Sotto caused a sensation in the Philippines recently after re-committing to the Gilas Pilipinas Men program on Thursday, but did so without specifying that he would play in the FIBA bubble at Clark in February.
Gilas Pilipinas program director Tab Baldwin was hopeful that Sotto would be available by the next window, but admitted that talks were still ongoing.
“We like to think and we think it will be for February, but there are still ongoing discussions and everyone is hopeful,” Baldwin said during a press conference announcing the global partnership between Smart and FIBA.
The Philippines will host Groups A and C of the FIBA Asia Qualifiers at Clark, the site of the recently concluded PBA bubble, from February 18-22.
