Trentyn Flowers
October 9, 2023
Kai Sotto
- Nationality: PHI
- Date of Birth: 11/05/02
- Place of Birth: Las Piñas (Philippines)
- Position: CTR
- Height (CM): 218
- Weight (KG): 105
- Junior Assoc:
- College: None
- NBL DEBUT: 18/12/21
- AGE AT DEBUT: 19
- LAST NBL GAME: 5/02/23
- AGE AT LAST GAME: 20
- NBL History: Adelaide 2022-23
- Championships: 0
- None
BIO: Kai Sotto was born in Las Piñas (Philippines).
In the United States, Sotto was considered a consensus four-star recruit by major recruiting services. He was recruited by several NCAA Division I programs and on May 13, 2020, that Sotto joined the NBA G League Ignite, forgoing his college eligibility.
Sotto was expected to miss several games with Ignite after he opted to play for the Philippine national team at the 2021 FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers given by logistical issues caused by COVID-19 pandemic-related travel restrictions. After being able to return to the United States, the NBA G League announced that it has reached a “mutual decision” that Sotto would not be able to rejoin Ignite.
On April 21, 2021, Sotto signed a contract to play for the Adelaide 36ers as a “Special Restricted Player”, which allows Asian players to play as locals. Sotto is guaranteed two years in his contract with a option to play for the 36ers for a third year.
FAMILY: The son of Filipino basketball player Ervin Sotto
NBL EXPERIENCE
Kai Sotto made his NBL debut with the Adelaide 36ers at 19 years of age. He scored one point in his first NBL game.
In 2021/22, Sotto averaged 7.6 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 0.6 assists as the 36ers finished in seventh place (10-18).
ADELAIDE 36ERS
2022/23
After a tough NBL22 season marred by injuries and a lack of team cohesion, head coach CJ Bruton remained hopeful for a turnaround, with a full offseason allowing him to make the necessary preparations for success. The 36ers retained a core group of players, including Mitch McCarron (captain), Anthony Drmic, Daniel Johnson, Sunday Dech, Hyrum Harris, and Kai Sotto, aiming to build a solid foundation for the new season.
Adelaide made significant moves during the off-season, signing proven NBL imports Antonius Cleveland (via Illawarra) and Robert Franks (via Brisbane) to multi-year deals. Additionally, G-League star Craig Randall II (Long Island Nets) was brought in to add some offensive punch.
Their season got off to a promising start with a historic preseason win over the NBA’s Phoenix Suns, where Adelaide became the first overseas team to beat an NBA opponent since Fenerbahce’s victory over the Brooklyn Nets in 2015. Randall led the team in scoring with 35 points, setting the tone for what seemed to be a promising season. They also put up a competitive performance against Oklahoma City shortly after.
However, things quickly took a turn for the worse. Returning to Australia, the 36ers, seen as championship contenders, stumbled to a 3–4 record in their first month of the regular season.
During this stretch, Randall II averaged 20.3 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 1.0 steals, but his on-court success was overshadowed by multiple verbal altercations with coach Bruton. After a disagreement regarding his role off the bench, Randall was released just six games into the season.
With Randall gone, Franks (17.7 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 2.3 assists) and Cleveland (15.8 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 1.9 steals) took on more of the offensive load. However, Johnson (11.1 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 2.1 assists) recorded his lowest-scoring season in nearly a decade, and the 36ers faltered down the stretch, losing six of their final eight games and missing out on the Play-In tournament.
McCarron (7.8 points, 5.0 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 1.6 steals) and Drmic (10.3 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 1.5 assists) made solid contributions, while NBL Next Star Kai Sotto (6.8 points and 4.5 rebounds) flashed his NBA potential. Sotto’s production remained consistent with the previous year, though his minutes dropped from 15.2 to 12.9 per game.
Adelaide brought in former Sydney Kings star Ian Clark (12.2 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 3.1 assists) mid-season to help make a final playoff push, but the move proved insufficient. The 36ers ended their campaign with a disappointing eighth-place finish and a 13-18 record.
Sotto’s best performance of the season came during a blowout loss to New Zealand (70-99), where he scored 16 points and grabbed 7 rebounds in 14 minutes of court time, showcasing his potential but in a losing effort.
Kai Sotto played two seasons the Adelaide 36ers. He averaged 7.1 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 0.4 assists in 50 NBL games.
NBL TOTAL STATISTICS
| SEASON | AGE | TEAM | TEAM RECORD | GP | MINS | PTS | REB | AST | OR | DR | STL | BLK | TO | PF | FGM | FGA | FG% | 3PM | 3PA | 3P% | FTM | FTA | FT% | TS% | EFG% | HS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022-23 | 20 | Adelaide | 13-15 (8) | 27 | 347.0 | 184 | 121 | 12 | 36 | 85 | 3 | 21 | 20 | 52 | 73 | 142 | 51% | 4 | 18 | 22% | 34 | 48 | 71% | 56% | 53% | 16 |
| 2021-22 | 20 | Adelaide | 10-18 (7) | 23 | 350.9 | 173 | 104 | 12 | 27 | 77 | 7 | 19 | 29 | 62 | 61 | 122 | 50% | 5 | 13 | 38% | 46 | 67 | 69% | 56% | 52% | 21 | Totals | 50 | 698 | 357 | 225 | 24 | 63 | 162 | 10 | 40 | 49 | 114 | 134 | 264 | 50.8% | 9 | 31 | 29.0% | 80 | 115 | 69.6% | 57% | 52% | 21 |
NBL PER GAME STATISTICS
| SEASON | AGE | TEAM | TEAM RECORD | GP | MINS | PTS | REB | AST | OR | DR | STL | BLK | TO | PF | FGM | FGA | FG% | 3PM | 3PA | 3P% | FTM | FTA | FT% | TS% | EFG% | HS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022-23 | 20 | Adelaide | 13-15 (8) | 27 | 12.9 | 6.8 | 4.5 | 0.4 | 1.3 | 3.1 | 0.1 | 0.8 | 0.7 | 1.9 | 2.7 | 5.3 | 51% | 0.1 | 0.7 | 22% | 1.3 | 1.8 | 71% | 56% | 53% | 16 |
| 2021-22 | 20 | Adelaide | 10-18 (7) | 23 | 15.3 | 7.5 | 4.5 | 0.5 | 1.2 | 3.3 | 0.3 | 0.8 | 1.3 | 2.7 | 2.7 | 5.3 | 50% | 0.2 | 0.6 | 38% | 2.0 | 2.9 | 69% | 56% | 52% | 21 | Total | 50 | 14.0 | 7.1 | 4.5 | 0.5 | 1.3 | 3.2 | 0.2 | 0.8 | 1.0 | 2.3 | 2.7 | 5.3 | 50.8% | 0.0 | 0.0 | 29.0% | 0.2 | 0.6 | 69.6% | 57% | 52% | 21 |
CAREER HIGHS
| POINTS | REBOUNDS | ASSISTS | STEALS | BLOCKS | TURNOVERS | TRIPLE DOUBLES | 21 | 10 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 0 |
|---|
FIBA EXPERIENCE
Sotto was supposed to make a debut with the senior national team at the 2021 FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers in early 2021 and went to the Philippines. However, due to logistical issues and abrupt hosting changes for the qualifiers caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Sotto had to return the United States to rejoin Ignite.
On June 16, 2021, Sotto made it to the final 12 man lineup at the 2021 FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers.
Sotto was a part of the Phillippino national team that competed at the 2023 FIBA World Cup and finished in 24th place (1-4 record)
FIBA TOTAL STATISTICS
| YEAR | AGE | GP | MINS | PTS | REB | AST | OR | DR | STL | BLK | TO | PF | FGM | FGA | FG% | 3PM | 3PA | 3P% | FTM | FTA | FT% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 21 | 5 | 71 | 30 | 20 | 3 | 6 | 14 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 12 | 12 | 19 | 63.2% | 0 | 3 | 0.0% | 6 | 12 | 50.0% | Total | 5 | 71 | 30 | 20 | 3 | 6 | 14 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 12 | 12 | 19 | 63% | 0 | 3 | 0% | 6 | 12 | 50% |
FIBA PER GAME STATISTICS
| YEAR | AGE | GP | MINS | PTS | REB | AST | OR | DR | STL | BLK | TO | PF | FGM | FGA | FG% | 3PM | 3PA | 3P% | FTM | FTA | FT% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 21 | 5 | 14.2 | 6.0 | 4.0 | 0.6 | 1.2 | 2.8 | 0.2 | 0.8 | 0.8 | 2.4 | 2.4 | 3.8 | 63.2% | 0.0 | 0.6 | 0.0% | 1.2 | 2.4 | 50.0% | Total | 5 | 14.2 | 6.0 | 4.0 | 0.6 | 1.2 | 2.8 | 0.2 | 0.8 | 0.8 | 2.4 | 2.4 | 3.8 | 63% | 0.0 | 0.6 | 0% | 1.2 | 2.4 | 50% |
NBA EXPERIENCE
Sotto would play for Orlando at the 2023 NBA Summer League.
INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE
- Japan - Hiroshima Dragonflies (2023–2024), Yokohama B-Corsairs (2023–2024), Koshigaya Alphas (2024–2026)
At the conclusion of NBL23, Sotto signed to play in Japan with the Hiroshima Dragonflies. After signing on February 7, 2023, and on March 18 he recorded his first B.League double-double with 21 points and 12 rebounds against the Ibaraki Robots.
At the conclusion of NBL23, Sotto signed to play in Japan with Hiroshima Dragonflies for the remainder of their 2022/23 season. There, he started in 19 of the 24 games he played, averaging 9 points and 6 rebounds (19 minutes per game).
He remained with Hiroshima for 2023–24 after signing a one-season extension on May 24, 2023, before being loaned to the Yokohama B-Corsairs on December 28, 2023 for the rest of the season.
With Yokohama in 2023–24, Sotto played 34 games and averaged 12.8 points, 6.4 rebounds and 1.1 blocks per game, highlighted by 26 points and 11 rebounds against the Chiba Jets on February 11, 2024 and a B.League career-high 28 points against Alvark Tokyo on March 30, 2024.
Sotto joined the Koshigaya Alphas for the 2024–25 B.League season after signing on June 21, 2024, and in 26 games he averaged 13.8 points, 9.5 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.2 blocks while posting 18 points and 15 rebounds on October 12 and then 18 rebounds on October 26.
His first season with Koshigaya ended early when he tore his left ACL on January 5, 2025, but he returned for the Alphas on January 24, 2026 and reached 1,000 B.League career points on February 1, 2026 before setting a new B.League career high with 19 rebounds on March 29, 2026.
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