(c) PBA Media Bureau
Kai Sotto is the most famous 15 years old Filipino basketball player in history. Of course, the most obvious reason is his imposing 7'1 height.
Height is might in basketball. And being only 15, he is already working on his skills to reach the level of his height.
His fame and promise have reached the eyes of the scouts of international teams who are now making offers to him, like the $1 million, 5 years contract from Real Madrid.
Real Madrid is not the only European basketball franchise that made an offer but also Baskonia and Estudiantes. He also received offers from NCAA division 1 schools.
In short, Sotto's potential is clear in the eyes of the world!
In Europe basketball system, teenagers are signed and become professionals right away. Just like Tony Parker who started when he was just 17 years old.
Now, why are they signing them at a very young age? Because they want to develop them to become quality players. Their most recent successful build-up was Luka Doncic who was the 3rd overall pick of the 2018 draft.
So, why should Kai sign in Europe?
The #1 reason is their resume of building up legit NBA players. The two most tantalizing prospects today that are products of the European structure and is currently on the NBA are Doncic and Kristaps Porzingis.
Why should we stop our most promising player, who will carry the country 10 years from now, in leaving a system, the Philippines, that has never produced an NBA caliber player to join an organization that has proven to be a pipeline of legit NBA talents!
The goal here is not for Kai to be the best Filipino basketball player. The goal should be to reach the NBA and become the first full-blooded Filipino to do so.
Let us face the reality that our current basketball system is not capable of producing an NBA player. The difference in the facilities, the quality of trainers, quality of competition, quality of coaching and NBA-level experience between the Philippines and Europe is as wide as the distance between the two.
The #2 reason? The dream of Kai is to play in the NBA, his father said. Bobby Ray Parks developed his game in the Philippines and tried to reach the NBA. It did not work.
Actually, there are only a handful of players that developed their game in their home countries and reached the NBA.
Playing in Europe will make it much easier for him to reach the NBA. The plan of the agent is simple. Prepare him for the 2022 NBA draft, when he will be 19 years old and eligible to put his name in the pool.
The #3 reason? To avoid the complication of the politics in the basketball universe of our country. So, what happens if he sides with the MVP group? What happens if SMC reached out to him?
Playing in Europe doesn't mean that he will not be available for our country. NBA players can represent their countries, so stop worrying about Sotto's future availability.
If the European system will be successful in making Kai Sotto a legit NBA player, which country will benefit?
The Philippines.
Now, why are they signing them at a very young age? Because they want to develop them to become quality players. Their most recent successful build-up was Luka Doncic who was the 3rd overall pick of the 2018 draft.
So, why should Kai sign in Europe?
The #1 reason is their resume of building up legit NBA players. The two most tantalizing prospects today that are products of the European structure and is currently on the NBA are Doncic and Kristaps Porzingis.
Why should we stop our most promising player, who will carry the country 10 years from now, in leaving a system, the Philippines, that has never produced an NBA caliber player to join an organization that has proven to be a pipeline of legit NBA talents!
The goal here is not for Kai to be the best Filipino basketball player. The goal should be to reach the NBA and become the first full-blooded Filipino to do so.
Let us face the reality that our current basketball system is not capable of producing an NBA player. The difference in the facilities, the quality of trainers, quality of competition, quality of coaching and NBA-level experience between the Philippines and Europe is as wide as the distance between the two.
The #2 reason? The dream of Kai is to play in the NBA, his father said. Bobby Ray Parks developed his game in the Philippines and tried to reach the NBA. It did not work.
Actually, there are only a handful of players that developed their game in their home countries and reached the NBA.
Playing in Europe will make it much easier for him to reach the NBA. The plan of the agent is simple. Prepare him for the 2022 NBA draft, when he will be 19 years old and eligible to put his name in the pool.
The #3 reason? To avoid the complication of the politics in the basketball universe of our country. So, what happens if he sides with the MVP group? What happens if SMC reached out to him?
Playing in Europe doesn't mean that he will not be available for our country. NBA players can represent their countries, so stop worrying about Sotto's future availability.
If the European system will be successful in making Kai Sotto a legit NBA player, which country will benefit?
The Philippines.
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