As someone who's been covering international basketball prospects for over a decade, I've seen countless young talents chase their NBA dreams. The question on every Filipino basketball fan's mind right now is whether Kai Sotto will make the 2020 NBA draft, and I've got to say - the situation reminds me of that interesting approach from Coach Pablo about focusing on available pieces rather than chasing absent ones.
Looking at Sotto's journey, it's been nothing short of remarkable. The 7'2" center from the Philippines has been turning heads since his early teens, and his development path has been unconventional by traditional standards. He skipped college basketball entirely, choosing instead to develop through the NBA's G League Ignite program. Now here's where it gets interesting - while many analysts projected him as a potential second-round pick earlier this year, the current landscape looks considerably different. Teams are evaluating prospects based on what they can bring immediately, and Sotto's raw talent needs to be weighed against his need for further development.
I've watched enough draft cycles to recognize patterns, and what strikes me about Sotto's situation is how it mirrors that team philosophy I mentioned earlier - working with what you have rather than fixating on what's missing. NBA teams aren't just drafting players; they're drafting projects, and Sotto represents a particular kind of project. His height and shooting touch are undeniable assets, but his frame needs significant strengthening to withstand NBA physicality. From my conversations with scouts, I'd estimate his current chances at around 35-40% for getting drafted this year, though these numbers fluctuate daily based on team needs and last-minute evaluations.
The pandemic has complicated everything. Private workouts have been limited, and international travel restrictions have made in-person evaluations challenging. Teams are relying more heavily on game footage from earlier seasons, and Sotto's decision to play in Australia's NBL gave him valuable professional experience against quality competition. I personally believe his performance against grown men in that league will weigh more heavily than many analysts anticipate. He averaged 7.5 points and 4.5 rebounds in limited minutes, but showed flashes of the versatile big man modern NBA teams covet.
What many don't realize is how much the draft process has evolved. It's not just about talent identification anymore - it's about fit, development timelines, and organizational patience. Some teams with multiple second-round picks might take a chance on Sotto as a draft-and-stash prospect, allowing him to develop overseas for another year or two. Others might prefer more NBA-ready talent. Having followed Sotto's career since his high school days, I'm genuinely torn about his immediate prospects. Part of me wants to see him make history as the first Filipino-born player drafted, while another part wonders if another year of development abroad might serve him better long-term.
The final weeks before the draft are always chaotic, with smokescreens and misinformation circulating freely. Teams that appear interested might be feigning, while genuine interest often remains hidden until selection night. Sotto's camp has been strategic about his preparations, focusing on specific skills that translate to the modern NBA - perimeter defense, pick-and-pop shooting, and court vision. These are the exact attributes that could sway a team looking for a unique developmental project.
Ultimately, the decision will come down to which team values potential over immediate contribution, and whether they see Sotto's distinctive skill set as worth the investment. My prediction? I'm leaning toward him being selected in the late second round, perhaps by a team like Toronto or Oklahoma City that has shown willingness to develop international prospects. But if he goes undrafted, it wouldn't surprise me either - the margin between being drafted and not is incredibly thin. What matters most is that Sotto continues developing regardless of the draft outcome, much like that team philosophy of working with available resources rather than lamenting what's missing. The journey doesn't end on draft night - it merely takes a new direction.