The Adelaide 36ers have announced the signing of rising 18-year-old Filipino prospect Kai Sotto, after a stint with the NBA G League Ignite.
Sotto, a 7-foot-2 centre, has signed a multi-year deal with the 36ers and will join the team for the 2021-22 season.
The Adelaide 36ers are pleased to announce that rising young Filipino talent @kzsottolive has signed a multi-year deal with the Club from NBL22.
— Adelaide 36ers (@Adelaide36ers) April 21, 2021
Read more: https://t.co/3aJxu6WlCH#WeAreSixers pic.twitter.com/xpVbBZD7Vu
ESPN's Olgun Uluc reports that Sotto's deal is as a Special Restricted Player — a two-year deal, with an option for a third.
Sotto left the G League Ignite program without playing for the team and has been training in Florida, working out with former NBA player Amar'e Stoudemire as he prepares for the 2021-22 NBL season.
“We are delighted to welcome Kai to the NBL to play with the Adelaide 36ers," NBL Commissioner Jeremy Loeliger said.
"The NBL is one of the best leagues in the world and a great league to develop players like Kai Sotto who want to take their game to the next level by playing alongside seasoned professional players in a super competitive league.”
Sotto, who is eligible for the 2022 NBA Draft, is the latest elite prospect to make the move Down Under, following the success of "Next Stars" LaMelo Ball, RJ Hampton and current Adelaide 36er, Australian Josh Giddey, who is projected as a lottery pick in this year's NBA Draft.
🇵🇭🦄 👀
— The NBL (@NBL) April 21, 2021
The @Adelaide36ers got their Kai for #NBL22, the 7'2 insanely skilled teenager from the Philippines, @kzsottolive pic.twitter.com/1Tm8sVTQd1
"Kai realises that he has work ahead of him as all rookies do when coming into this tough league, but his combination of height and developing skill-set give him every chance to raise his game," Adelaide 36ers General Manager of Basketball Jeff Van Groningen added.
"With hard work, his ceiling for growth is very high."
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