The Athletic’s Shams Charania reported that Sotto is the first international draft prospect to sign a deal with NBA’s official minor league, according to sources.
Charania said the 18-year-old 7’2’’ center will join the new G League Team in southern California, alongside top high school players Jalen Green, Isaiah Todd, and Daishen Nix.
The former Ateneo Blue Eaglets standout left the Philippines last year to pursue his dream of playing for the American professional basketball league.
He is currently training with Atlanta-based sports and development organization The Skill Factory.
Last February, he also earned a slot in the Basketball Without Borders Global Camp which will be held during the 2020 NBA All-Star Weekend in Chicago.
Sotto got an offer early this year from University of Georgia, an National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I school. The Georgia Bulldogs has produced some NBA players like Atlanta Hawks legend Dominique Wilkins and Los Angeles Lakers guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope.
He also made visits to the University of Kentucky and Georgia Tech last year.
Sotto was also a UAAP Junior’s Basketball Finals MVP in 2018 and season’s MVP in 2019. He was also part of Batang Gilas during the FIBA U-19 World Cup last year.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 11) – Young Filipino shooter Kai Sotto will skip collegiate basketball as he decided to suit up for a new team in the National Basketball Association’s (NBA) development program G League, according to an insider.
Sotto, who turns 18 today, is joining the new G League team in Southern California alongside Jalen Green, Isaiah Todd and Daishen Nix. NBA’s enhanced pro development program gaining international talent. https://t.co/erlFyHqT0s
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) May 11, 2020
