MANILA – As he aims to become the first-ever Filipino player in the NBA, Kai Sotto decided to leave Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eaglets and have a full-time training overseas.
The 7-foot-2 Filipino prodigy did not mention where he headed after leaving Ateneo but said that he will be devoting the next two to three years for his development in preparation for NBA.
“I’ll be leaving soon to start training full-time,” Sotto said in a social media post. “I want to devote the next 2 to 3 years to single-mindedly focus on my goal of joining the NBA by 2021 or 2022.”
Almost a month ago, it was reported that EuroLeague’s Real Madrid, FC Barcelona and Baskonia, Bundesliga’s Alda Berlin and Liga ACB’s Movistar Estudiantes have tendered offers on Sotto.
“I strongly feel that leaving immediately to start training and getting the right exposure will go a long way to help me realize my dream,” Sotto said.
He added: “Para po ito sa future ko, ng pamilya ko, at especially po, para sa Batang Gilas, Gilas Pilipinas at higit sa lahat, para sa bayan.”
Sotto’s decision to leave Ateneo came after he captured his first UAAP juniors basketball MVP and also after leading the Blue Eaglets to a runner-up finish in UAAP Season 81 juniors basketball./PN
