WATCH: Kai Sotto Highlights [Adelaide 36ers vs NZ Breakers | March 12, 2022]
Filipino teen prodigy Kai Sotto is set to wear jersey number 11 when he joins the Adelaide 36ers in Australia’s National Basketball League (NBL).
The team released a composite image of the upcoming jersey on its social media accounts and at the same time opened the queue for pre-orders.
The 18-year old Sotto, who sported 11 when he played for the Ateneo Blue Eaglets in the UAAP and with the Gilas Pilipinas Youth team during the 2017 FIBA Under-16 Asian Championship in China, recently signed a two-year deal with an option for a third year. He will be under the league’s Special Restricted Player rule which seeks to foster better relations with the rest of the FIBA-Asia region.
“A part of me is excited and nervous about this. Happy. Mixed emotions on the things that will happen in my future,” said Sotto in a press conference on Wednesday.
“I will stay focused on my path and continue developing and improving so I may be ready for my next challenges. I want to get stronger, because the strength part is really my issue to play at a higher level and to be more and play more athletic. Once I get the proper strength and speed, I think it’s easier to play at a higher level,” he added.
Sotto is set to become the first full-blooded Filipino to play in the Australian league.
