Get to know your Gilas Men’s Basketball Team: KAI SOTTO

KAI ZACHARY SOTTO. The 7 foot 2 inch beanpole hugged local sports headlines recently as he joined the Orlando Magic Summer League and registered impressive numbers going up against future NBA stars despite playing limited limits.

Courtesy: FIBA

According to the FIBA website, Sotto averaged 13 points per game and 10.5 rebounds during the four games he played for Gilas Pilipinas.

Kai is the son of former PBA player Ervin Sotto, who once played for the NLEX Road Warriors.

During his early years, Kai played for the Ateneo BLue Eagles at the UAAP, winning the juniors’ division championship and MVP award. 

He then moved to the United States, and was recruited to play for several NCAA Division I schools. 

Courtesy FIBA

He then decided to forgo his college eligibility and signed with the NBA G League Ignite to pursue his NBA dreams.

After that, Sotto joined the Adelaide 36ers of Australia’s National Basketball League.

He then signed for the 2022 NBA drafts but was undrafted. He returned to the 36ers for another season before joining the Hiroshima Dragonflies of Japan’s B.League.

Courtesy: Kai Sotto Instagram

On June 23, 2023, Sotto got an invite to play for the Orlando Magic NBA Summer League in the 2023-off-season tournament.

He made his debut in the Magic’s game against the Portland Trail Blazers putting up six points, four rebounds, and three blocks in 13 minutes played. During their game against the Boston Celtics he sustained a back injury and was unable to continue to play.