Filipino sensation Kai Sotto is returning to the Adelaide 36ers in Australia’s NBL for his second season.
36ers head coach CJ Burton revealed the development during an interview with Aussie Hoopla Podcast before it was confirmed by Sotto himself through a post on his Instagram account.
“Let’s run it back Adelaide 36ers!!! #Year2,” Sotto wrote.
The decision came at the heels of Sotto’s failed attempt to get drafted in the 2022 NBA rookie draft just last month. Questions about the 7-foot-3 beanpole’s future surfaced after not seeing action in the NBA Summer League – a route that most undrafted players take in hopes of turning heads of NBA scouts and coaches and land at least a two-way contract with an NBA team.
Sotto then parted ways with agent Joel Bell and signed with renowned sports agency Wasserman.
With Sotto now back in another tour of duty for the 36ers, the focus right now is to help Adelaide improve from its 10-18 record last season. Sotto also hopes to pick up where he left off after averaging 7.5 points, 4.5 rebounds and 50-percent shooting clip from the field in just 15 minutes of play. He had a career-high of 21 points last season.
“Everyone has thoughts and dreams and Kai’s dream is to get to the NBA. I thought he was two years away from doing that. Clearly he put his name in and he couldn’t get it out,” said Bruton
“Right now it’s focusing on, ‘how do you help the 36ers and get yourself back in a spot that now everyone’s looking at you, you’re ready now?,” he added.
Sotto will be joining forces anew with guys like Sunday Dech, Daniel Johnson, Hyrum Harris and captain Mitch McCarron. Also coming in for his first season is former NBA guard Antonius Cleveland.