The Adelaide 36ers have signed Filipino talent and top NBA prospect Kai Sotto to a multi-year deal for the 2021/22 season.

Standing at 7’2 inches (218cm) and 210 pounds (95kg), Sotto spent last season with the NBA G League pro program and played alongside other top NBA prospects Jalen Green, Isaiah Todd, and Daishen Nix.

He has signed with the Adelaide 36ers on a two-year deal that includes an option for a third, following several months of discussions between the 36ers, Sotto and his agent Joel Bell.

Sotto had been fielding European offers from powerhouse clubs like Barcelona and Real Madrid before deciding Adelaide would be the best option for his development prior to the NBA draft. Sotto will also be classified as a local player under the NBL’s Special Restricted Player rule, making this an even bigger coup for the Sixers.

Next step on my journey this year. See you soon Australian 🇦🇺 pic.twitter.com/HBKoFtl5q4

— Kai Sotto (@kzsottolive) April 21, 2021

Recently we’ve seen Melbourne United yield dividends after signing Yudai Baba as a Special Restricted Player and seen him become an integral part of the team’s playoff push this season. No doubt the 36ers are hoping for the same from Sotto.

He will get the chance to play alongside Josh Giddey who are both expected to be drafted in the 2021 NBA draft, Giddey currently projected to be selected between the 10th and 15th pick while Sotto is projected late in the second round.

“We are delighted to welcome Kai, both to the Club and the City of Adelaide. Attracting a player of Kai’s potential from Asia, and more recently the United States, to Adelaide will only enhance the Club’s reputation for identifying and developing elite basketball talent.” said Chairman Grant Kelley on the announcement of Sotto’s signing.

At only 18 years of age, Sotto is still quite raw and it’s expected he will be challenged by the physicality of the NBL in his first season but he has plenty of NBA potential long term. He possesses impressive mobility for his size and has great hands, a soft touch and a knack for passing few big men his age possess.

Sotto is considered to be the best Phillipino-born NBA prospect in the countries history. With the Philippines, a basketball-crazed nation the 36ers expect to see plenty of the Filipino community get behind Sotto (some videos of his play have hit millions of YouTube views) and support his development as he hopes to use the team as a springboard to the NBA.

Already an emerging figure within the Philippine national team program, Sotto’s decision to head to Adelaide is based on his desire to develop his game overcoming seasons with the 36ers and the NBL, the place he believes that will be best done.

The G-League Ignite team is a developmental basketball team designed to field NBA prospects who chose to bypass college to reach the NBA. The team play games within the G-League competition allowing players to earn a salary while getting huge exposure to NBA scouts. Its roster is made up of both prospects and veteran players. Its implementation is the G-League’s answer to the NBL’s Next Star program and the NCAA’s decision to provide an income to its players. Ignite players earn salaries of up to $500,000.

COVID-19 caused some disruption to Sotto’s time with the Ignite team, however. This year’s G-League competition was played inside a bio-secure bubble which Sotto wasn’t able to play in due to commitments to the Philippine national team at the 2021 FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers. He was then unable to return to the team due to logistical issues caused by COVID-19 pandemic-related travel.

During his time with the Ignite team, Sotto played alongside NBA veterans Jarrett Jack, Amir Johnson and former New Zealand Breakers import Brandon Ashley. The team is coached by former NBA player and head coach Brian Shaw

Sotto remains in the USA and will complete a period of training with the NBA G-League Ignite Team before travelling to Adelaide.

Adelaide 36ers General Manager of Basketball Jeff Van Groningen also has high expectations of Sotto and believes not only will his presence create excitement from new NBL fans and draw NBA eyeballs to the club but delivers on-court success to the team.

“Kai realises that he has work ahead of him as all rookies do when coming in to this tough league, but his combination of height and developing skill-set give him every chance to raise his game. With hard work, his ceiling for growth is very high.”

Sotto has been the best junior basketball player in the Philippines for a number of years having won a UAAP Junior’s Basketball Championship and the Finals MVP in 2018. He backed that up with a league MVP award in 2019. Sotto represented the Philippines in the FIBA U-19 World Cup last year, where he averaged 11.7 points and 7.9 rebounds in 7 games played.

Sotto will arrive in Adelaide later this year for preseason training as the Adelaide 36ers prepare for the 2021/22 season.