Kai can’t wait for World Cup

MANILA, Philippines — It’s the biggest basketball stage in the world and playing against the best of the best before the homecrowd is something that 7-3 Kai Sotto is looking forward to. “It’s an honor to be part of the Gilas pool,” said Sotto in an interview from his Los Angeles base yesterday. “I’m excited. Any player would want to play for his country. It’ll be the biggest games of my career and the biggest challenge to make it to the final 12. Right now, I’m focused on the NBA mini-camps and trying to make it to the NBA Summer League which finishes mid-July so after that, I’ll join Gilas. There’ll be time to prepare for the FIBA World Cup.”

Sotto, 21, said whoever is chosen as Gilas’ naturalized player would be a boost. “I’ve played with Ange (Kouame) on the national team,” he said. “Ange gives me confidence to play my game, knowing he’s another big on the team. Same with AJ (Edu). I’ve got their back, they’ve got mine. I can learn a lot from Justin (Brownlee). My dad and I call him the Michael Jordan of the PBA. And we all know who JC (Jordan Clarkson) is. He plays at the highest level. I’d be honored to share the court with any one of them.”

At the moment, Sotto is immersed in pursuing his NBA dream. He’s had sessions with the Utah Jazz and Dallas Mavericks. New York is his last mini-camp stop next week. His agent Tony Ronzone of Wasserman Sports Management said there is clear interest from several NBA teams. “Because of Joker’s (Nikola Jokic) success, NBA coaches are looking at bigs more seriously,” said Ronzone who was in Manila in 1989 to play in an invitational tournament with Sean Chambers for the Los Angeles Jaguars. “When I was with Detroit, we had six bigs, including Elden Campbell and Memo Okur. Then, small ball got popular with the Golden State Warriors and Draymond Green playing five. Now, bigs are back with Joker and Joel Embiid. Joker helps the Kai Sottos of this world. Kai can shoot, rebound and protect the rim but like Joker, the best part of his skills is passing. Kai’s similar to Kristaps Porzingis although Kristaps is more perimeter oriented and more mobile while Kai can put it on the deck and is better on the block. We want to see Kai more consistent and play at Joker’s level.”

Sotto said working out with the Jazz and Mavericks was an amazing experience. “We were like 20 guys playing five on five, working hard,” he said. “It was competitive with guys like Dwayne Bacon, Zaire Wade, DJ Wilson and Sharife Cooper. I learned a lot playing against highly talented guys in Australia and big imports in Japan. I got ready for the mini-camps at Wasserman’s facility in Los Angeles. The past months, I’ve focused on the present when the last few years, I focused on the future and let go of the present. It gives me chills thinking of playing in front of my countrymen, family and friends at the FIBA World Cup. It’s a big deal for me and I can’t wait.”