
Pure Filipino Kai Sotto has decided to bypass college basketball and join the NBA G-League's Professional Pathway Program. The 18-year-old, 7-foot-2 Kai became the first international (non-American) player to join the “Select Team,” which includes part-Filipino Jalen Green, Isaiah Todd, and Daishen Nix.
The “Select Team” will be based in the Southern Los Angeles area and the team will play a limited schedule compared with other G-League franchises. According to reports, these players will earn six-figure salaries.
The Professional Pathway Program of the NBA G-League will provide a one-year development program that includes professional coaching and exhibition games against G-League teams and national teams.
Kai Sotto -- a 7-foot-2 center from the Philippines -- has decided to skip college and will be the first international draft prospect to sign a deal in the NBA G League pro program, sources tell @TheAthleticNBA @Stadium.
-- Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) May 11, 2020
Kai played for the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eaglets in the UAAP, winning the UAAP Juniors Basketball Championship in 2018. In the same year, Kai also won the Finals MVP award before notching the league MVP the following season.
READ: Kai Sotto, leaving to pursue dream of playing for the NBA
Since then, Kai has been training with Atlanta-based company The Skill Factory while receiving multiple offers from NCCA Division 1 schools and European ball clubs.
WATCH: Kai Sotto, to train in Atlanta, Georgia
LOOK: Pia Wurtzbach shoots some hoops with Kai Sotto at NBA event