Kai Sotto projected as second round pick in Sports Illustrated's mock NBA draft

With less than a month left before the 2022 NBA Draft, Filipino wunderkind Kai Sotto continues to improve his stock as a rookie hopeful in the league.

In a recent mock draft by Sports Illustrated's Brett Siegel, the 7-foot-3 center has been projected to be selected 49th overall in the second round by the Sacramento Kings.

Sotto was coming off a fruitful campaign in Australia, playing for the Adelaide 36ers where he averaged 7.52 points, 4.48 rebounds, 0.52 assists, and 0.83 blocks during his maiden season.

After his stint Down Under, Sotto, who dreams of becoming the first homegrown Philippine talent to make it to the NBA, has reportedly attended workouts with NBA's New York Knicks as well as at least 11 other teams.

The annual rookie draft will be held on June 23 at 7:30 a.m. (7:30 p.m. on June 24 in the Philippines) at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.

—Bea Micaller/MGP, GMA News