This week is a special week for the Filipino community in Australia. One Night Only with Kai Sotto is upon us.
We are coming together to celebrate the arrival of Kai Zachary Sotto, an athletic, 7’2”, 20-year-old homegrown Filipino basketball phenomenon. Arriving in Sydney City this weekend to play the defending champions Sydney Kings, we at Coinchella and WSB Street, in cooperation with the Adelaide 36ers, are privileged to bring Kai closer to our community.
The upcoming event, “One Night Only with Kai Sotto”, is happening on December 4 at Netball Central Sydney Olympic Park. All Filipinos in Australia are invited to attend this momentous occasion. This event is bigger than just a panel talk and a meet and greet. It is a recognition of a once-in-a-generation Filipino athlete who could carry the Philippines into a golden era of sports.
Never have we seen a Filipino basketball star play in the Australian National Basketball League until now. Some of our greatest Philippine basketball icons, Robert Jaworski, Allan Caidic, Alvin Patrimonio, Benjie Paras, Ramon Fernandez, Asi Taluava and June Mar Fajardo to name a few, carved out magnificent careers in the PBA, but it’s our first time to witness a Filipino make it here professionally. Kai Sotto’s presence will open new doors, and for this, we should celebrate.
Australia’s professional league is arguably one of the best in the world. It’s been a forty-three year build up for the Australian basketball program to achieve a supreme level. The Australian national basketball team is a testament to this after winning the bronze medal in the 2021 Olympics. Kai Sotto’s presence in Australia is historical as it has taken this long for Australia to open its door to a Filipino player. He now has a direct pathway to the NBA and follows the footsteps of NBL luminaries LaMelo Ball, Josh Giddey, Patty Mills, Joe Ingles and RJ Hampton. Kai’s current club Adelaide 36ers took a risk to sign and develop a Filipino because they believe he has the aptitude to reach greater heights. Kai’s fans have since flocked the 36ers to show their love and appreciation.
Basketball is by far the most popular sport in the Philippines. One hundred million Filipinos live and breathe the game and follow the sport like a religion. SBP, the national body, has pinned their hopes on the next generation of Filipino stars to help bring future success to the country. A core group led by Jordan Clarkson, the Ravena brothers, Dwight Ramos, Bobby Ray Parks, CJ Perez, and Scottie Thompson is anchored around Kai. His recent FIBA play against Jordan and Saudi Arabia this month delivered wins for the Philippines. Kai averaged 13.5 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists, 3.5 blocks and 66% field goal shooting in only 23 minutes per game. The future looks bright for the Philippines. Fortunately for us Australians, Kai plays closer to home.
In basketball, the term “unicorn” has been used to describe NBA players who are both versatile and dynamic, and Kai fits the mould. A multi-dimensional player who possesses a smooth shooting touch, Kai can score inside and outside the perimeter, make free throws accurately, rebound, and, more importantly, defend the paint. You can plug and play him on the wing or down low to create mismatches. Kai’s skillset and body type is comparable to a handful of seven-foot unicorns, including Giannis Antetokounmpo (Milwaukee Bucks), Kristaps Porzingis (Washington Wizards) and Anthony Davis (LA Lakers). As Kai continues to develop his game, his potential remains sky-high.
Ultimately, Kai has bigger dreams of making it to the pinnacle of his sport: the NBA. Granted, he was bypassed in the recent NBA Draft, but his unrestricted status allows him to sign with any team of his choosing after the NBL season. From our sources, multiple NBA clubs have an interest in Kai purely because of his unique skillset. The endorsements have already arrived; it’s only a matter of time before the NBA starts calling for jersey number 11.
This Sunday, our Filipino community will come together to celebrate Kai Sotto. His achievement at such a young age is a source of pride and joy for Filipinos who love the game. The support has been tremendous. The Philippine media, INQuirer, Manila Bulletin, Malaya, Philippine Star, Philippine Community Herald, Radio Tagumpay, Ang Balita, and Bayanihan News are talking about Kai’s One Night Only. Locally, Vision Property Investment Group, World Remit, MAS Music Group, World Supremacy Battlegrounds, The Kickz Stand, Royals Basketball, Cultural Pulse, Ronstappable Tattoos, Royals Basketball, AussieHoopla.com, Immico Consultancy, Business Launch Podcast, Ikigai Superpowers, VA Kreativ, Webmint, Sound Nation, Mama Lor Restaurant & Bakery Sydney | Melbourne, and MyHoops.com.au have come on board to support the event.
Gather your friends, family, workmates, and teammates because this could be your only chance to show Kai how proud we are of him. The whole Philippines will be watching through live streaming, but this is your opportunity to connect with Kai intimately, right in our own backyard.
EVENT DETAILS
One Night Only with Kai Sotto
DATE: December 4 Sunday
TIME: 4 PM Doors Open. Main Event 6 PM
LOCATION: Netball Central, 2 Olympic Blvd, Sydney Olympic Park NSW
WEB: masmusicpresents.com
PHONE: 0420307753
TICKETS: trybooking.com
PRICES:
- $20 General Admission Solo (Non-reserved, limited passes)
- $50 VIP Solo (with Meet & Greet + Vision VIP Lounge)
- $100 General Admission Family Pass (Reserved area for 4 people)
- $100 VIP Solo (with Kai Sotto One Night Only Tour shirt & M&G + VIP Lounge)
- $180 VIP Family Pass (Reserved area for 4 people with M&G + VIP Lounge)
Note: VIP/VVIP passes will receive an exclusive meet-and-greet and photo opportunity with Kai Sotto himself, plus access to the Vision VIP Lounge.
Dan Boyce is a die-hard Sydney Kings fan who grew up in Melbourne during the roaring 90's of Australian Basketball and spent far too much time collecting Futera NBL Basketball cards.
