Kai Sotto still chasing NBA dream, possibly through US NCAA path

MANILA, Philippines – Kai Sotto remains in pursuit of becoming the first homegrown Filipino to make the NBA. 

Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) president Ricky Vargas said the 7-foot-3 star hopes to get another crack at the NBA, possibly through the US NCAA path. 

While Sotto has been a professional for nearly six years, having played in the National Basketball League in Australia and now in the Japan B. League, there has been a surge of professional players who have gained collegiate eligibility in the US NCAA. 

“He’s now preparing for the NBA again. He’s preparing to join a college team. We understand. His dream is also our dream,” Vargas said in a mix of English and Filipino on Monday, March 2. 

“That’s our dream for him as well. It’s a big thing that we have a Filipino in the NBA.”

After graduating from high school and taking his act to the United States, Sotto received offers from several US NCAA Division 1 schools, but he opted to turn professional and joined the NBA G League Ignite in 2020. 

He then played two seasons for the Adelaide 36ers in the NBL and has spent the last four seasons in the B. League, where he has suited up for three teams: the Hiroshima Dragonflies, the Yokohama B-Corsairs, and now, the Koshigaya Alphas.

The US NCAA could be the next stop for Sotto, as it has opened its doors to professional players.

Nigerian center James Nnaji, who played three seasons in the EuroLeague for FC Barcelona, now sees action for Baylor University, while Canadian big man Charles Bediako returned to the University of Alabama after three seasons in the NBA G League. 

Another option for Sotto is a return to the NBA Summer League, where he saw action for the Orlando Magic in 2023. 

But the NBA chase could also result in Sotto missing more time away from Gilas Pilipinas. 

Sotto has not played for the national team for over a year now, since he suffered a knee injury in January 2025.

He then skipped the Philippines’ two-game homestand in the second window of the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers a week ago, having only recently recovered from his injury.

Although the SBP obviously wants Sotto to be with the national team, Vargas said the federation supports the 23-year-old big man in his NBA aspirations. 

“It depends on the outcome of him joining a school. His plans are still towards going to the NBA. But we need him,” said Vargas. “It’s hard to fault him. It’s not about the money. He wants to play [in the NBA].”

“It was never about money with him.” – Rappler.com