NBA Prospect Watch: Kai Sotto Shows Potential But Performance Fails To Impress In BWB Camp

Kai Sotto is carrying the hopes of a nation where basketball is treated as if it was a religion. The 17-year-old Filipino cager has created quite a buzz since he entered the United States last year to chase his hoops dreams, drawing significant attention from several scouts who got intrigued with the 7’2 big man’s game which escalated from his decent showing in the Atlanta-based Junior NBA affiliated program the Skill Factory.

Sotto has become an instant prospect who is projected to be drafted in the NBA in 2021. If it happens, he will become the first-ever home-grown Filipino to be selected as a rookie in the league. His bid for that dream took a progressive step when he was invited by the NBA to join the Basketball Without Borders Camp during the All-Star weekend.

Much was anticipated about Sotto that he was relatively under the microscope during the camp. He showed flashes of his potential during the scrimmages; but on the flip side, it also served as a quick reality check that his entry ticket to the NBA is not yet ripe for picking.

ESPN’s Jonathan Givony and Mike Schmitz, who analyzed several prospects at the camp, said that Sotto’s game was marred by inconsistency and his inability to match the opposition’s intensity.

“His performance at the BWB camp was somewhat inconsistent, as he looked like one of the most talented prospects in attendance in the morning drills each day but struggled to make his presence felt in the games,” the article said. “Sotto didn't look ready for the level of physicality and intensity he encountered in the camp scrimmages, as he was scored on at will by stronger players, looked lethargic getting back on defense and settled for too many low-percentage shots."

But while the weaknesses in his game were exposed, the promise in Sotto’s skill set could not be left unnoticed.

“Sotto has gotten into better shape since arriving to the U.S. and possesses a versatile skill set for a player his size: scoring in the post with either hand, handling the ball impressively, good court vision and range on a jump shot that extends beyond the 3-point line,” wrote Givony and Schmitz, who also commended the young prodigy’s ability to chase the ball on defense with his great timing along with his God-given length.