Kai Sotto

Kai Zachary Perlado Sotto(English:/ˈkaɪ/,Tagalog:[ˈkaɪˈsɔtɔ]; born May 11, 2002) is a Filipino professionalbasketballplayer forKoshigaya Alphasof the JapaneseB.League. Listed at 7 ft 3 in (2.21 m),he plays thecenterposition. He is tied with Raul Dillo as the tallest Filipino professional basketball player ever.Sotto and Dillo are also the second-tallest Filipino men, behind only William Biscocho, who stands at 7 ft 4 in (2.24 m).
Sotto is the son of formerPhilippine Basketball Association(PBA) playerErvin Sotto. He played high school basketball for theAteneo Blue Eagletsof theUniversity Athletic Association of the Philippines(UAAP), winning the juniors' division championship andMVPaward. He drew interest from four European basketball clubs: Real Madrid, Barcelona, Baskonia in Spain and Alba Berlin in Germany, in 2019 but turned down all of the European offers. He then moved to the United States, where he was recruited by severalNCAA Division Ischools, but decided to forgo his college eligibility and signed withNBA G League Ignitein 2020. However, due toCOVID-19-related travel restrictions and his decision to play for thePhilippine national teamat the2021 FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers, Sotto left Ignite by mutual agreement. He then joined theAdelaide 36ersof Australia'sNational Basketball League(NBL) for the 2021–22 season, after which he declared for the2022 NBA draftbut went undrafted. He returned to the 36ers for another season before joining theHiroshima Dragonfliesof Japan's B.League.
Sotto has also represented the Philippines national team in several senior and youth tournaments.
Sotto was born on May 11, 2002, inLas Piñas, Philippines, toErvin Sottoand Pamela Sotto (néePerlado). Sotto began playing basketball when he was four years old. Sotto began studying atSaint Francis of Assisi Collegeto pursue hisprimary education.He grew up idolizing basketball playersTim Duncan,June Mar FajardoandKristaps Porziņģis.
In March 2019, Sotto left Ateneo as a third-year high school student to move to the United States in an attempt to advance his basketball career.In the United States, he continued his studies at the Miami School inHamilton, Ohiowhile simultaneously dealing with commitments with The Skill Factory andNBA G League Ignite.He graduated from Miami School in April 2021.
In April 2016, Sotto enrolled atAteneo de Manila High SchoolinQuezon Cityand joined its basketball program, theAteneo Blue Eaglets, which competes in the Juniors' division of theUniversity Athletic Association of the Philippines(UAAP).InUAAP Season 79(2016–17), the 14-year-old 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) Sotto led the league inblocked shotsper game (1.5). He was named Rookie of the Year as Ateneo reached theFinal Four.In his second season,UAAP Season 80(2017–18), the 15-year-old 7 ft 1 in (2.16 m) Sotto led the Eaglets to the championship. In the three-game finals series, he averaged 17 points, 13 rebounds, and 6.3 blocks, winning him the FinalsMVPaward.He was also named in the season's Mythical Five and finished second in the MVP race.In his final season with Ateneo,UAAP Season 81(2018–19), Sotto averaged 25.1 points, 13.9 rebounds, and 2.6 blocks per game. He won the season MVP award and was again named in the Mythical Team.However, Ateneo failed to defend their title, falling to theNSNU Bullpupsin a rematch of the previous season's finals.
On November 9, 2019, Sotto announced that he would join The Skill Factory, a preparatory program based inAtlanta, Georgia.In his debut one day later, he recorded 18 points and 12 rebounds in a 65–61 loss toIMG Academy.On January 21, 2020, Sotto was named MVP of the King Invitational tournament, averaging 27 points, 10.6 rebounds, 4.3 blocks and three assists in three games.On February 15, 2020, he participated in theBasketball Without BordersGlobal Camp held duringNBA All-Star WeekendinChicago.
In the United States, Sotto was considered a consensus four-starrecruitby major recruiting services.He was recruited by severalNCAA Division Iprograms.It was announced on May 13, 2020, that Sotto joined theNBA G League Ignite, forgoing hiscollegeeligibility.
On May 13, 2020, Sotto signed with theNBA G Leagueand joined theNBA G League Igniteas part of the league's new developmental program operating outside its traditional team structure.Ignite joined the2020–21 seasonas part of the traditional team structure following the non-participation of several regular teams in a competition played inside abio-secure bubble. However, Sotto was expected to miss several games with Ignite after he opted to play for thePhilippine national teamat the2021 FIBA Asia Cup qualifiersgiven by logistical issues caused byCOVID-19 pandemic-related travel restrictions.Despite being able to return to the United States, theNBA G Leagueannounced that it has reached a "mutual decision" that Sotto would not be able to rejoin Ignite.
Due to Sotto joining Ignite, he is ineligible to play for a college team inNCAA Division Igames.Overtimereportedly expressed interest for Sotto to join their basketball league,Overtime Elite.He was also ineligible for the2021 NBA draft, having recently graduated from high school in the same year and was only able to join in 2022 at the earliest.
On April 21, 2021, Sotto signed a contract to play for theAdelaide 36ersof the AustralianNational Basketball League(NBL).He was signed as a "Special Restricted Player", which means that he is treated the same way as a local player and is not subject to the NBL's import limit. Sotto is guaranteed two years in his contract with an option to play for the 36ers for a third year.
On January 30, 2022, Sotto recorded 12 points, four rebounds, and one assist in 21 minutes of play, in an upset victory, 88–83 over the reigning champions and top-seededMelbourne United.
On April 28, Sotto declared for the2022 NBA draft.He worked out for multiple NBA teams but went undrafted.He then switched agents and on July 29, he announced that he would return to play for Adelaide for a second straight year.
On October 28, 2022, Sotto recorded a season-high 16 points and seven rebounds in a 99–70 loss to theNew Zealand Breakers.On January 8, 2023, he tied his season-high of 16 points and put up five rebounds and two blocks in an 85–83 loss to the Breakers.
On February 5, 2023, Sotto announced that he is leaving the team and will sign with a team overseas.
On February 7, 2023, Sotto signed a contract with theHiroshima Dragonfliesof the JapaneseB.League.His contract is until the end of the season as he is planning to join the 2023NBA Summer League.On March 18, 2023. Sotto recorded his first B.League double-double with 21 points and 12 rebounds in a 90–72 win over theIbaraki Robots.
On May 24, 2023, Sotto signed a contract extension with the team.The contract include an opt-out clause if Sotto would be signed in theNBA.
On June 23, 2023, Sotto received an invite from theOrlando Magicto play in theNBA Summer League.In the2023 off-season tournament,Sotto made his debut in the Magic's game against thePortland Trail Blazers, their fourth Summer League game for that season, putting up six points, four rebounds, and three blocks in 13 minutes played.However, he reportedly sustained a back injury in the Magic's next game against theBoston Celtics.
On December 28, 2023, Sotto joined theYokohama B-Corsairson loan from the Dragonflies for the rest of the2023–24 season.On February 11, 2024, Sotto recorded a career-high 26 points with 11 rebounds in a 90–85 win over theChiba Jets.Koshigaya Alphas's Sotto suffered asprained left anklein Koshigaya’s win over AJ Edu on November 6.
On January 5, 2025, Sotto tore his leftanterior cruciate ligament(ACL) in a 79–77 loss to theSeaHorses Mikawaand will be sidelined for an extended period of time as a result.
Sotto made his national team debut for thePhilippinesat the2017 SEABA Under-16 ChampionshipinQuezon City, Philippines. He averaged 16.8 points, 8.5 rebounds and three blocks per game, leading his team to a gold medal. Sotto registered 15 points, 12 rebounds and four blocks in an 83–62 win overMalaysiain the final.In April 2018, he represented the Philippines at theFIBA Under-16 Asian ChampionshipinFoshan, China, where he led his team to fourth place. Sotto averaged 16.8 points, 13.5 rebounds, and 2.5 blocks per game and was named to the tournament's Mythical First Team.He recorded 28 points, 21 rebounds and three blocks in a quarterfinal win overJapan, before recording 26 points, 21 rebounds and six blocks in a semifinal loss toChina.He led the event in rebounds and blocks per game, as well asplayer efficiency rating(21.5).Sotto played for the Philippines at the2018 FIBA Under-17 World Cupin Argentina, where he averaged 16.4 points, 10.6 rebounds and 2.3 blocks per game. He led his team to 13th place, its best finish at the event. In a classification game win overEgypt, he had his best performance at the tournament, tallying 28 points, 17 rebounds and three blocks.Sotto represented thePhilippinesat the2019 FIBA Under-19 World CupinHeraklion, Greece, where his team finished in 14th place. He averaged 11.7 points and 7.9 rebounds, while tying withIbou Badjifor a tournament-high 3.1 blocks per game.
Sotto was supposed to make a debut with thesenior national teamat the 2021 FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers in early 2021 and went to the Philippines. However, due to logistical issues and abrupt hosting changes for the qualifiers caused by theCOVID-19 pandemic, Sotto had to return the United States to rejoin Ignite.
On June 16, 2021, Sotto made it to the final 12 man lineup at the 2021 FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers.The following year, he played in the fourth window of the2023 FIBA World Cup qualifiers.
Sotto was included in the 21-man pool for the2023 FIBA World Cup,where he was eventually included in the final 12-man lineup.
His father,Ervin Sotto, and his godfather,Ranidel de Ocampo, played basketball professionally in thePhilippine Basketball Association(PBA).Ervin Sotto stands 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) and Pamela Sotto stands 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m). He has two siblings.
In July 2024, Sotto was hospitalized to have his injuredribsx-rayedafter the second quarter of Gilas Pilipinas’ loss to Georgia.