THROW “if” out of the window.
For Adelaide coach CJ Bruton, it’s just a matter of “when” before Kai Sotto, carrying the weight of expectations of a basketball-crazy country, could become the first homegrown Filipino to play in the NBA.
“I think for every scout that I’ve spoken to so far from around the NBA that wanna know about Kai Sotto and his personality, what he can bring and where he fits, I said no doubt he’s gonna be there. Everyone understands that he’s gonna be there at some point, it’s just a matter of when,” Bruton said on PlayitRight TV with Quinito Henson and Dyan Castillejo.
“For now, he’s here to help Adelaide 36ers to be successful and we’re here to help put Kai Sotto truly on the map where the world knows that internationally, he’s owned every element and every area of the game that he can possibly own,” he added.
Bruton is convinced the 7-foot-3 Sotto will get the chance to suit up in the NBA but that hinges largely on his draft stock.
“There’s no doubt that Kai will have every opportunity to play in the NBA. If it’s this year, depending on how the draft stock goes because as we all know it can be different at different times,” Bruton said.
“It’s to give him every shot to want to be in the first round and play and contribute. I feel like right now, just for him to get drafted, his time will come.”
While his prized ward remains out of the Top 60 in mock drafts, Bruton said Sotto is working hard to get better.
“It’s more on Kai Sotto and he’s delivering in spades. My job is to help (Sotto) become an elite player and hopefully, one day get to the NBA, and to get there, everyday counts. I need him to keep pushing himself and set the tone every day in practice which he’s been doing,” Bruton said.
