Sotto swak sa NBA-- Sexton

MANILA, Philippines — Tiwala si Cleveland Cavaliers guard Collin Sexton na makakapasok din sa National Basketball Association (NBA) ang Filipino teen giant sensatation na si Kai Sotto.

Ito ay matapos maka-sama mismo ang 7’2 teen tower sa pagsasanay kamakailan lang sa Emory Sports Medicine Complex na siyang training facility ng Atlanta Hawks.

Kasalukuyang nasa Atlanta, Georgia mula pa noong Abril ang 16-anyos na si Sotto para sa dalawang buwang pagsasanay na bahagi ng kanyang paghahanda na makapasok sa NBA sa 2021 o sa 2022.

Ginagabayan si Sotto ng sikat na skills coach na si Nick Stapleton na nagkataon ding personal trainer ni Sexton na kapapasok lang din bilang eighth overall pick ng Cavs noong 2018 NBA Rookie Draft.

“I worked out with Kai just last Saturday. We just got up and down, chopped it up, and worked out together. That’s my guy,” ani Sexton sa isang media presser dito sa Pilipinas.

“I feel like he can make it to the NBA. He’s seven feet, he’s a great player and can shoot it.”

Inaasahang babalik sa bansa si Sotto sa Hunyo upang samahan ang Gilas Pilipinas youth squad (dating Batang Gilas) sa paghahanda nito para sa 2019 FIBA Under-19 World Cup sa Heraklion, Greece mula Hunyo 29 hanggang Hulyo 7.

Ayon kay Sexton, magugulat aniya ang lahat sa iginaling ni Sotto kahit ilang buwan pa lang na nagsasanay sa Amerika.

“He’s been getting a lot better. So when he comes back, you will all see,” dagdag niya.

Nasa bansa ang 20-anyos na Alabama standout kasama si WNBA legend Ticha Penichiero para turuan ang mga batang Pinoy sa 2019 JR NBA program dito sa Pilipinas.

“I feel like this can make a big difference in a kid’s life just for to me come in and just talk to them, tell them they can be anything they want. I know it can go a long way,” ani Sexton.  “I take pride in coming here and speaking with the kids. I put myself in their shoes and I know how much it felt just to have that one person you can ask any question to growing up. It was great.”