NBA G League says Kai Sotto will no longer re-join Ignite

The NBA G League announced on Tuesday that Filipino teen sensation Kai Sotto will no longer re-join Ignite.

The 7-foot-3 Sotto missed Ignite’s training camp at Walnut Creek in California last January and arrived at the country early February to train and play for Gilas Pilipinas in the 3rd and final window of the FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers set from February 18 to 23 in Doha, Qatar.

The tournament, however, was cancelled at the last minute due to COVID-19 concerns.

“NBA G League Ignite and international prospect Kai Sotto of the Philippines today announced the mutual decision that Sotto will not re-join Ignite. With the team’s permission, Sotto left Ignite in January to train with the Philippines National Team at the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifying Tournament in Qatar before that event was cancelled,” said the league in a statement.

“Kai and the team both understood the challenges for him to rejoin Ignite given the current international travel constraints, quarantine times and health and safety protocols,” said NBA G League President Shareef Abdur-Rahim.

“Kai will always be part of the extended Ignite family and we wish him continued success as he pursues his NBA dreams,” he added.