Hidden Gem: Why the NBA Can’t Ignore Kai Sotto!

Hidden Gem: Why the NBA Can’t Ignore Kai Sotto!

what if I told you there was a 7 foot3 22-year-old playing in Japan’s b-league that has his eyes on the NBA and what if I told you that the San Antonio Spurs should pick him to create a monster bigman front Court like we’ve never seen before this Goliath is Kai SoDo but just who is Kai SoDo born on May 11th 2002 in Las pus Philippines Kai Zachary perlotto grew up in a country where basketball is not just a sport but a way of life his father Irvin stto was a professional basketball player in the Philippine Basketball Association the PBA which naturally instilled a love for the game in young Kai standing out from an early age due to his height and basketball lineage Kai began his journey with a Clear Vision and the support of his family Kai’s early basketball development took place in local leagues and school tournaments where his potential became increasingly evident at just 14 years old he stood at an impressive 6’9 making him a dominant for in youth competitions his skills were honed through rigorous training and his dedication to the sport was unwavering sto’s Big Break came when he joined the atino de Manila High School’s basketball team a prestigious institution known for its strong basketball program here he continued to develop his game displaying not only his height Advantage but also his versatile skill set Kai’s performance in the uaap Juniors division garnered significant intention as he averaged impressive numbers in points rebounds and blocks leading leading his team to multiple victories his dominance in local competition soon caught the eye of international Scouts and basketball enthusiasts the next step in his journey was pivotal moving to the United States to further his basketball career in 2019 kaoto took a significant leap by joining the skill factory in Atlanta Georgia an Elite basketball development program known for producing top tier Talent this move marked the beginning of his transition from local sensation to Global Prospect at the skill factory SOA faced tougher competition and underwent more advanced training which was crucial for his growth he adapted to the faster pace and physicality of American basketball showcasing his potential against some of the best young talents in the country his performances in various tournaments and showcases such as the basketball Without Borders Global Camp further solidified his reputation as a promising International Prospect in 2020 stto made Headlines by joining the NBA G League ignite a team designed to develop Elite Prospect for the NBA draft this was an historic move as he became the first International player to join the program unfortunately due to complications related to travel restrictions in the covid-19 pandemic stto left the ignite team to fulfill commitments with the Philippine national team representing the Philippines on the international stage has always been a significant part of sto’s Journey he’s played for the Philippines national team gilas pilipis at various age levels and his presence has brought immense Pride to his country his performances in FBA tournaments have been closely watched and he’s been hailed as a future Cornerstone of Philippine Basketball fast forward to 20124 he’s now in Japan’s b-league and he looks much more improved than in previous years you see he declared for the NBA draft in 2022 but went undrafted now he’s put on size and adds more polish to his game however there are still some negatives as well we’ll get to them later but first let’s start with the positives in Japan’s B- League this season he average 12 points per game in 20 minutes while shooting 57% from the field and 30% from three along with six rebounds the catch with stto is obviously his shooting ability at 7’3 no he isn’t an elite shooter but he’s a capable shooter who can hit an open three but is more comfortable in the midrange area off catch and shoot or even face up situations in today’s NBA if you can shoot as a big man your chances of getting a role on an NBA team increases dramatically and that just shows the evolution of the game surrounding big men in the early Decades of the NBA men were primarily valued for their size strength and ability to dominate the paint the role of a center or power forward was to secure rebounds protect the rim and score close to the basket players like Bill Russell Wilt Chamberlain and Kareem Abdul Jabar epitomized this era they were masters of the low poost utilizing their height and physicality to score and defend effectively in this period the game was played at a slower Pace with an emphasis on halfcourt sets teams would run their offense through the big man who would either score in the post or pass out to Shooters the three-point line was introduced in the 1979 1980 season but it wasn’t a significant part of most team strategies the emphasis remained on high percentage shots near the basket the 1980s saw the NBA begin to slowly Embrace a more perimeter oriented style of play driven by the emergence of dynamic guards and forwards like Magic Johnson Larry Bird and Michael Jordan while the dominant bigman still played a crucial role there was a growing appreciation for facing in ball movement Larry Bird though a forward showcased the value of a versatile player who could score from anywhere on the court Magic Johnson’s ability to play multiple positions including Center during key moments highlighted the potential of unconventional lineups despite these changes big men like AE elijuan Patrick ying and Shaquille O’Neal remain focal points of their teams continuing the tradition of dominant paint play the early 2000s saw a gradual shift in how big men were utilized influenced by several actors Dirk nitzky a seven-footer with a deadly outside shot played a pivotal role in transforming perceptions of what a big man could do his ability to stretch the floor and score from Beyond The Arc challenged traditional defensive schemes and opened up the paint for driving guards and forwards simultaneously the evolution of the game’s pace and the importance of spacing became more evident teams began to recognize the value of three-point shooting as a means to create more efficient offensive opportunities coaches like Mike dantony with his seven seconds or less Phoenix Suns prioritized fast breaks and perimeter shooting setting the stage for a more Dynamic and versatile style of play the late 2000s and early 2010s marked a significant turning point in the NBA’s Evolution the three-point Revolution led by players like Steph Curry and Klay Thompson of the Golden State Warriors fundamentally changed the game The Warrior success built on exceptional shooting and ball movement demonstrated the power of the three-pointer as a Cornerstone of mod basketball big men who could shoot threes became highly coveted stretch fours and fives players who could play the power forward or Center position and shoot from long range added a new dimension to offensive strategies this shift was not only about scoring but also about creating space for other players to operate with big men drawing Defenders out to the perimeter guards and wings had more room to drive to the basket players like Kevin Love Chris Bosch and later Anthony Davis exemplified the versatility required of modern big men they could score in the post rebound defend and crucially shoot from Beyond The Arc this versatility made them valuable assets and an evolving League the transformation of bigman into three-point Shooters was driven by both players and strategic Innovations coaches began to see the potential of incorporating shooting bigman into their systems Greg papovich is use of Tim Duncan in more versatile roles with the San Antonio Spurs and Eric Spa’s utilization of Chris Bosch as a floor spacer in the Miami Heats championship teams are prime examples and Kevin Garnett’s influence cannot be understated while not a prolific three-point shooter his ability to hit mid-range jumpers and stretch the floor in pick and pop situations pave the way for bigman to develop perimeter skills he isn’t that mobile nor is he an elite rim protector that I think can change games against NBA level athletes that just puts him in a weird spot and then it certainly doesn’t help that he isn’t an elite rebounder either but the thing is he still has all of the pieces and that’s why I think the Spurs would be perfect for him only time will tell where he ends up and while he does have a lot of flaws I just think he has so much untapped potential at 22 years old how could you not pick him what do you think does kais SoDo belong on an NBA roster let me know in the comments down below thanks for watching and I’ll see you next time

Hidden Gem: Why the NBA Can’t Ignore Kai Sotto!

🚨 Discover why the NBA can’t ignore Kai Sotto! 🚨 In this video, we’re revealing the incredible journey of a 7’3″ phenom playing in Japan’s B-League with his eyes set on the NBA. Born in the Philippines, Kai Sotto has dominated every level of basketball he’s played, from local leagues to the NBA G League Ignite. Now, at just 22, he’s showcasing his unique blend of size, skill, and shooting ability that could revolutionize any NBA team’s frontcourt. Don’t miss out on why the San Antonio Spurs should take a chance on this hidden gem!

🔥 Why you should be excited about Kai Sotto:
– Impressive stats and skill set
– Journey from local hero to global prospect
– Potential game-changer for the Spurs’ bigman lineup

But it’s not all smooth sailing. We’ll also dive into Kai’s challenges and what he needs to overcome to make it in the NBA. Does Kai Sotto belong on an NBA roster? Let us know in the comments below!

🎥 Watch now and be part of the conversation about this rising star. Subscribe for more updates and follow us on social media for all things basketball! 🏀 #nba #basketball #SanAntonioSpurs #KaiSotto

#KaiSottoJourney #KaiSottoStory #NbaHiddenGem #KaiSottoGLeague #KaiSottoJapanLeague

CHAPTERS:
0:00 – Intro
0:17 – Early Life
1:38 – Transition to the US
2:23 – NBA G League Ignite
3:06 – Japan B-League
3:56 – Evolution of the NBA
8:15 – Outro