MANILA, Philippines — At 23 years old, 7-foot-3 Filipino center Kai Sotto is reviving his quest for the NBA by choosing a path many say he should have taken years ago: US NCAA college basketball.
New Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) president Ricky Vargas confirmed that Sotto is currently scouting for a US college to enroll in. This transition will likely put his immediate duties with Gilas Pilipinas on hold as he focuses on development within the American collegiate system.
- SBP Support: Vargas expressed full support for Sotto’s decision, stating, “His dream is our dream, too.”
- Gilas Absence: Sotto was notably absent during the recent FIBA World Cup Qualifying window, where a shorthanded Gilas squad suffered losses to New Zealand (69-66) and a manhandling by Australia’s B-Team (93-66). Vargas clarified that Sotto’s absence was due to his focus on this new career path, not financial issues.
As Sotto pivots toward the US, Gilas Pilipinas is bolstering its roster with the naturalization of former San Miguel import Bennie Boatwright.
- Progress: Boatwright’s case was heard by the Senate committee on justice and human rights on Tuesday.
- Asian Games Outlook: With Boatwright expected to be cleared soon, Gilas could potentially feature both him and Justin Brownlee for the Asian Games in Japan later this year, provided the rules allow multiple passport-holding players (as they did in China).
By entering the US NCAA at 23, Sotto follows a path similar to other international prospects who seek high-level visibility and coaching before making a final leap to the NBA. While this means Gilas will have to navigate upcoming windows without their star center, the long-term goal remains seeing the first full-blooded Filipino in the NBA.