Adelaide 36ers sign Kai Sotto to multi-year deal

The Adelaide 36ers are pleased to announce that rising young Filipino talent Kai Sotto has signed a multi-year deal with the Club that will see the emerging talent join the team from the 2021/2022 season.

Standing at 7’2 (218cm) and just 18 years old, Sotto has had significant global interest. He has signed with the Adelaide 36ers for two seasons, with an option for a third, following several months of discussions between the 36ers, Sotto and his agent Joel Bell.

Sotto has signed under the NBL’s Special Restricted Player rule provision allowing the Club – and the League – to continue to build on strong relationships within the FIBA Asian region.

Already an emerging figure within the Philippine national team program, Sotto’s decision to head to Adelaide is based on his desire to develop his game over coming seasons with the 36ers and the NBL the place he believes that will be best done.

Following a period training with the NBA G-League Ignite Team, Sotto most recently has been based in Florida, working out with players with past NBA experience as well as strength and conditioning coaches in readiness for the 2021/22 NBL season.

Chairman Grant Kelley said, “We are delighted to welcome Kai, both to the Club and the City of Adelaide. Attracting a player of Kai’s potential from Asia, and more recently the United States, to Adelaide will only enhance the Club’s reputation for identifying and developing elite basketball talent.”

Adelaide 36ers General Manager of Basketball Jeff Van Groningen continued, "Kai realises that he has work ahead of him as all rookies do when coming in to this tough league, but his combination of height and developing skill-set give him every chance to raise his game. With hard work, his ceiling for growth is very high.”

NBL Commissioner Jeremy Loeliger said: "We are delighted to welcome Kai to the NBL to play with the Adelaide 36ers. The NBL is one of the best leagues in the world and a great league to develop players like Kai Sotto who want to take their game to the next level by playing alongside seasoned professional players in a super competitive league."

Sotto will arrive in Adelaide later this year for preseason training as the Adelaide 36ers prepare for the 2021/22 season.