AGENTS CHASE PINOY GIANT
Earvin, a former Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) player, admitted to entertaining offers from foreign agents to send the younger Sotto to the Real Madrid camp in the Euro League
It will take a family decision but Kai Sotto, the 16-year old 7-foot-1 hope of Philippine Basketball, is likely to swing the European way if he plans to make it to the National Basketball Association (NBA) someday.
His father Earvin, a former Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) player, admitted to entertaining offers from foreign agents to send the younger Sotto to the Real Madrid camp in the Euro League.
“I’m open to that. After all, it will be a great opportunity for my son. Kai is also open to it,” Earvin told Daily Tribune in an exclusive interview after Wednesday’s game of NLEX where he serves as an assistant coach.
Kai attracted foreign agents after his impressive stints in the 2017 Fiba U16 Asia Cup, 2018 Fiba U17 World Cup and the recently-concluded 2018 Fiba Asia U18 Asia Cup.
Kai was hailed the best teenage center in the continent after he normed 16.8 points and 13.5 rebounds in last year’s U16 Asia Cup in China. Batang Gilas placed fourth to qualify in the U17 World Stage.
Kai continued his rise with another double-double average of 16.4 points and 10.6 rebounds to lift Batang Gilas to a 13th place finish in the World Cup in Argentina.
Agents from Germany, U.S.A, Australia and Spain have made inquiries on Kai, according to Earvin.
Real Madrid is a likely pick for the younger Sotto as it could pave the way for his NBA entry.
“Just the other day, a group from the U.S. also inquired about Kai. They are interested. As of now, there are no official talks yet,” Earvin said, adding that an NBA Academy invitation is also lined up for Kai.
“I will not be the only one to decide on it. It will be our whole family’s decision, especially Kai because at the end of the day, it is he who will play,” he added.
“As a father, I’m just showing and explaining to him the possibilities, options and opportunities. He’s open to it,” Earvin said.
Real Madrid is a likely pick for the younger Sotto as it could pave the way for his NBA entry.
“Ateneo is very supportive of Kai. There’s no problem with that,” he said. “The offers will come they it are meant to be. But as of now, my son is still with Ateneo,” he said.
“As of now, he’s okay here in Philippines, in Ateneo. And I told him to focus on his studies. That’s his job and that’s his responsibility — to study in Ateneo.”
Kai is a Grade 9 student in Ateneo High School and still has three years before taking up a college course.
