Keep Grinding – Manila Bulletin

Utah Jazz guard Jordan Clarkson urged Kai Sotto to work twice as hard in hopes of meeting his ultimate goal of playing in the NBA.

Clarkson said during a Zoom media availability with Manila-based scribes that the NBA G-League Select Team stint is a good opportunity for Sotto to improve his skills and learn more about the tricks of the trade.

“The best advice I got for him is to stay in the gym and keep working out,” Clarkson said. “When you’re surrounded by NBA pros, guys and experienced coaches, it’s great for him, especially at a young age.

Sotto recently dressed for Ignite in a pair of games against G-League veterans this week.

He scored five points but added five rebounds and two blocks in the first game that saw the Ignite fall 113-107.

Sotto then posted six points, six rebounds and a block during the second hit that resulted in a 125-99 victory for the G-League veterans.

Read: Ignite Coach Shaw Surprised But Supporting Sotto’s New Engagement With Gilas

Still, Ignite coach Brian Shaw, who was part of the Los Angeles Lakers title races in the early 2000s, praised the Las Pinas City native for his progress.

“I think these kids are getting experiences, eye-opening experiences that a lot of kids don’t have. So to have that underneath, just tell them to put their nose down and keep grinding and time because everything is going to work out at the end of the day, “Clarkson said.

Read: Kai Sotto will dress for Gilas Pilipinas