I still remember the buzz surrounding Kai Sotto back in 2020 when he declared for the NBA Draft. As someone who's followed international basketball prospects for over a decade, I've rarely seen such excitement around a Filipino player. The hype was real - here was a 7'2" center with guard-like skills, projected by many analysts to potentially go in the second round. Yet when draft night concluded, Sotto's name remained uncalled. What exactly happened to derail what seemed like a promising NBA journey?
Looking back at that period, I believe several factors converged to create the perfect storm that kept Sotto undrafted. His decision to skip the NBA Combine raised eyebrows among scouts I've spoken with - one long-time Eastern Conference scout told me privately that this move cost Sotto crucial exposure to teams who needed to see him against top competition. Then there was the COVID-19 pandemic that disrupted his training schedule and limited team visits. But beyond these external factors, I've come to realize that the fundamental issue was similar to what volleyball coach Pablo described - teams were focusing too much on what Sotto wasn't rather than working with the unique player they had. Scouts kept comparing him to traditional NBA big men instead of appreciating his distinctive skill set that combined size with perimeter abilities.
The numbers tell part of the story - Sotto averaged just 7.5 points and 4 rebounds in the NBL Australia during that draft season, hardly eye-popping statistics for someone his size. But having watched his development closely, I've always felt these numbers didn't capture his full potential. His basketball IQ, passing vision for a big man, and developing outside shot were qualities that statistics often miss. The draft process became about checking boxes he didn't fit rather than recognizing the unique value he could bring. Teams were searching for the perfect prototype instead of seeing the raw materials they could develop.
Fast forward to today, and I'm more optimistic about Sotto's NBA prospects than ever. His development path reminds me of successful international players who took unconventional routes - spending time in Australia's NBL, dominating in Japan's B.League where he's putting up 15 points and 8 rebounds per game this season, and representing the Philippines internationally. These experiences have hardened him in ways the traditional NCAA path might not have. The league is changing too - we're seeing more versatile big men succeed, and Sotto's skill set aligns perfectly with this evolution.
What excites me most is how Sotto has embraced the philosophy of working with what he has rather than fixating on what he lacks. He's developed a reliable three-point shot that's now hitting at 38% this season, improved his core strength significantly since 2020, and most importantly, maintained that unique passing ability that first caught scouts' attention. The NBA will come knocking again - I'm confident of that. It might not be through the draft, but through the G-League or two-way contracts that have become viable alternative paths. His journey teaches us that sometimes the unconventional route, while longer, can build character and skills that immediate draft success might not. The 2020 disappointment may ultimately prove to be the making of Kai Sotto rather than his breaking point.