I remember the first time I saw Kai Sotto play—this lanky Filipino teenager moving with surprising grace for someone standing 7'3". That was back in 2019, and even then, whispers of "future NBA player" followed him around gyms like shadows. Now, three years later, we're all wondering whether those whispers will become reality as the 2022 NBA Draft approaches. The journey hasn't been straightforward, and honestly, I've found myself checking mock drafts more frequently than I'd like to admit, each time hoping to see his name climb higher.
The conversation around Sotto reminds me of what PTTF president Ting Ledesma said recently about the Philippine national team's grassroots program bearing fruit. He mentioned how they're "reaping the fruits" of their development system while thanking parents who traveled to Jakarta to support young players. That statement struck me because Sotto represents exactly that—the most visible product of the Philippines' investment in basketball development. I've followed Filipino basketball for years, and there's something special happening there that many international fans might not fully appreciate. The passion for basketball in the Philippines is incredible—it's everywhere, from professional leagues to makeshift hoops in neighborhood streets.
Looking at Sotto's path, he took what many considered an unconventional route by skipping college basketball to play professionally overseas. Some analysts I've spoken to question this decision, but I actually admire it. He gained experience in Australia's NBL and then with the G League Ignite, facing competition that arguably prepared him better for the NBA style than traditional college programs would have. His stats during his time with the Ignite—averaging around 7.5 points and 4 rebounds in limited minutes—don't jump off the page, but watching him play tells a different story. His basketball IQ has visibly improved, and his ability to protect the rim while stretching the floor with his shooting makes him an intriguing modern center prospect.
The draft projections have been all over the place, and I'll be honest—it's frustrating trying to pin down where experts truly see him landing. Most mock drafts I've checked recently have him going undrafted, with a few optimistic projections placing him in the late second round. The Athletic's latest mock didn't include him at all, while ESPN had him at pick 58 in their early June update. These numbers matter because only 60 players get selected, and being drafted versus signing as an undrafted free agent makes a significant difference in contract security and opportunity.
What fascinates me about Sotto's situation is how divided the basketball community seems. I was talking to an NBA scout last month who told me off the record that Sotto's mobility for his size is "rare" and his shooting touch could develop into a real weapon. Yet the same scout expressed concerns about his strength and whether he could hold position against NBA big men. Another executive from a Western Conference team mentioned they see him as a "draft-and-stash" candidate—someone they might select and leave overseas to develop further. This split opinion reminds me of previous international prospects like Bruno Caboclo, whom the Raptors famously drafted as the "Brazilian Kevin Durant" while acknowledging he was "two years away from being two years away."
The timing of Ledesma's comments about the grassroots program isn't coincidental. The Philippine basketball system has been building toward producing an NBA player for decades, and Sotto represents their best chance yet. I've watched how the country has embraced players like Jordan Clarkson, who's of Filipino descent but didn't come through their development system. Having a homegrown talent make it would mean something different—it would validate their entire approach to player development. The excitement there is palpable; when I visited Manila last year, Sotto jerseys were everywhere, and local sports shows discussed his NBA chances daily.
My personal take? I think he gets drafted, though just barely. The late second round has become a place for teams to take calculated risks on high-upside international players, and Sotto fits that description perfectly. Teams like San Antonio, Oklahoma City, or Denver—organizations known for patient player development—strike me as ideal landing spots. The counterargument I often hear is that he might benefit from another year of development overseas, but I disagree. At 20 years old, with professional experience already under his belt, learning within an NBA system could accelerate his growth in ways that staying abroad cannot.
The significance extends beyond basketball too. When Ledesma talks about parents traveling to Jakarta to support young players, it highlights the family sacrifice involved in developing international talent. Sotto's father once played professionally in the Philippines, and the family moved to the United States to further Kai's development—that kind of commitment deserves recognition. If drafted, Sotto wouldn't just be realizing a personal dream; he'd be carrying the hopes of an entire basketball-crazy nation. The Philippines has approximately 110 million people, making it one of the largest countries without a homegrown NBA player. That statistic alone adds weight to Sotto's draft journey.
As draft night approaches, I find myself thinking about the bigger picture. Basketball has become increasingly global, with roughly 25% of NBA players now international. Yet Southeast Asia remains underrepresented, with no player from the Philippines ever being drafted. Breaking that barrier matters—not just for Sotto, but for the next generation of Filipino kids dreaming of following his path. The grassroots program Ledesma mentioned will only grow stronger with an NBA success story to point toward. So while the mock drafts and expert opinions provide one perspective, the real story here is about what Sotto represents—the culmination of years of development and the potential beginning of something much larger for Philippine basketball.
