Kai Sotto hopes whirlwind year finishes with U17 World Cup
FOSHAN (FIBA U16 Asian Championship) - After playing with LeBron James, winning a high school title and working with the senior national team, Kai Sotto's next goal is the FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup.
FOSHAN (FIBA U16 Asian Championship) - After playing with LeBron James, winning a high school title and working with the senior national team, Kai Sotto's next goal is the FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup.
That's exactly what is next on the agenda for the big man from Manila. It would be the cherry on top if he could lead a team as your back-up Philippines to a top-four spot at the FIBA U16 Asian Championship and a return trip to the FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup.
"We can make it to the World Cup," said Sotto, who is the tallest player in the tournament at 7ft 1in (2.16m). "We have to focus and play our hearts out."
Sotto would love to lead Philippines to their second U17 World Cup following 2014.
"We will have a chance to play against the best in the world - hopefully," he said.
The Philippines were drawn with Australia and Malaysia in Group B, and the Filipinos already defeated Malaysia, 62-57 and will face the might Aussies tomorrow.
"Our team will definitely be better compared to the previous U16 team. Hopefully we can make it to the World Cup. We have to focus and play our hearts out."
"Only the top four will qualify, so obviously it will be more difficult for us in the Asian region," said Sotto, who at the same time is excited about an opportunity to face off against those countries, especially Australia.
"Australian players are also tall, so I can use that experience to see the real level of my skill."
Sotto must realize that his skill level is already pretty high considering some of the things he has done just within the past year.
Last September, he participated in the LeBron James Tour 2017: Strive for Greatness and was actually James' teammate. In fact, the NBA superstar even threw up an alley-oop to Sotto, who was unable to grab and dunk it. But it was a memory Sotto will always have.
"I was very happy, proud and blessed to be part of it," he said.
In early March, Sotto guided Ateneo to the UAAP 80 Juniors title and was named MVP, especially because of his monster triple-double of 22 points, 16 rebounds and 11 blocks in the first game of the finals.
Take out that under construction sign in Katipunan Avenue, the newest and tallest tower over there is open for business! Check out #UAAPSeason80Jrs Basketball Finals MVP Kai Sotto's highlights from the three-game thriller! pic.twitter.com/zmCtzip4YC
— ABS-CBN Sports (@abscbnsports) March 5, 2018
"It meant a lot because we were able to achieve our team goal, which was to win the championship," Sotto said.
In January, Sotto was included in Philippines senior national team head coach Chot Reyes' 23for23 pool - a grouping of 23 players looking ahead to the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023, which will be co-hosted by Philippines.
And that meant the youngster got a chance to work out with the senior national team.
"It was overwhelming because not every 16-year-old kid is given the opportunity to be part of the men's national team," said Sotto, who trained with among others June Mar Fajardo, who has played as center in two FIBA Asia Cups, the 2014 World Cup and the 2016 Olympic Qualifying Tournament.
Sharing my photo of a Kai Sotto dunk from yesterday's Gilas training on ESPN5. @kai_zachary #Gilas #Pilipinas #23for23 #PUSO #KaiSotto #ESPN5 #Sports5 pic.twitter.com/XkxjBnY9Tb
— winston baltasar (@foto_geek) January 30, 2018
"I'm very grateful," Sotto said.
The big man hopes he can use that experience to help his U16 team grab a top-four spot in Foshan to reach the U17 World Cup.
"We will not pressure ourselves by expecting too much about the tournament. We will just give it our best shot," Sotto said.
Given the whirlwind ride Sotto has been on, it wouldn't be a surprise if playing at the U17 World Cup is the next great event for the rising star.
FIBA