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MANILA – Following a “mutual decision,” the NBA G League announced Tuesday that Filipino basketball sensation Kai Sotto would not be joining the Ignite career program in the league’s current bubble season in Orlando, Florida.
The development came amid uncertainty that the 18-year-old, eight-foot center would become the team after Gilas Pilipinas Men canceled his bubble training due to the postponement of the third window of the Cup Qualifiers. FIBA Asia (ACQ).
Last month, Sotto suddenly announced that he will team up with Gilas Men for an ACQ bubble, which was initially supposed to happen in Angeles, Pampanga, before he moved to Doha.
However, due to an increase in 2019 coronavirus disease cases in the Qatari capital, the Qatar Basketball Federation gave up its hosting rights, and the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas eventually claimed the hosting rights for the games of the Group A, where the Gilas Men are. placed, although it did mean their games had to be reprogrammed.
Following the postponement, Gilas Men canceled his practice in Calamba, Laguna, prompting Sotto to return to the United States to possibly rejoin Ignite once he passes the mandatory quarantine.
However, the G League announcement dashed hopes.
“Kai and the team understood the challenges for him to rejoin Ignite given international travel limitations, quarantine times, and health and safety protocols,” said G League Commissioner Shareef Abdul-Rahim.
The former NBA star hinted that Sotto also just left the team.
“Kai will always be part of the extended Ignite family, and we wish him continued success as he pursues his NBA dreams,” added Abdul-Rahim.
Team Ignite, which still has some Filipino firepower in the projected lottery pick Jalen Green, is currently in fifth place in the G League standings at 5-3. (PNA)
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