| |
|
Second Overtime: Kai Sotto: It will take time but this NBA dream is close to reality
By Homer D. Sayson
PhilBoxing.com
Mon, 17 Feb 2020
CHICAGO -- Many have tried. None were taken.
Seeing a full-blooded Filipino make it to the NBA is a national aspiration for a basketball-crazy country like the Philippines.
As if bound by civic duty, we've hoped and prayed that we will see a brown brother out there frolicking with the world's greatest athletes.
But from Japeth Aguilar to Kobe Paras to Kiefer Ravena, we've all ended up picking the scabs of frustration as we wonder if the longing would ever end.
And then Kai Sotto comes along.
He is by far the best chance we've got of finally having an NBA player whom we can rally behind as a nation while soaking in the collective pride that, yes, a Filipino can play basketball at the highest level.
Kai has more assets than a bank. He is 7-foot-1 long, a nimble big who can run and space the floor. His body can use a little more pounds to withstand physical play while his speed and quickness need more volume.
The author with Kai Sotto at the Basketball Without Borders (BWB) Camp. Other images show Sotto in action. (Photos by Japheth Bandi).
But he is only 17 years young. Time will allow him to work on those things.
In an era of instant gratification, the urge is to watch him go to the NBA soon but this is a process that will require sure but slow and gentle steps. Be patient, pump the brakes a little bid.
Let this kid grow.
Meanwhile, enjoy watching the journey he makes.
It will be one heck of a ride.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Homer D. Sayson.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
‘CALM’ PERO READY TO FACE MILLER’S FIRE
, Tue, 21 Apr 2026Hall of Famer Rafael Marquez's son Aaron wins professional debut
By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 21 Apr 2026Top Super Featherweights Tsendy Erdenebat & Cobia Breedy Battle in 10-Round Main Event of ProBoxTV’s ‘The Contender Series’ at Live! Casino Hotel Maryland
, Tue, 21 Apr 2026Registration Now Open for the Return of the Butterfly Brawl at the Iconic Santa Monica Pier – August 22, 2026
, Tue, 21 Apr 2026Brackets Set for USA Boxing Elite High Performance Team at World Boxing Cup - Stage One
, Tue, 21 Apr 2026Team Altagracia Primus Praedia Land Holding champ in Pacquiao chess
By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 21 Apr 20262-Division World Champion Daniel Ponce De León Confirmed for Ninth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Cinco De Mayo Weekend, Saturday May 2, in Las Vegas
, Tue, 21 Apr 20262026 NBA Playoffs: First Round Game 1 Recap
By Reylan Loberternos, , Mon, 20 Apr 2026FIDE Master Ivan Travis Cu gains a total of 36 rating points, bringing his FIDE rating to 2321 by May after completing 2 chess tournaments in Spain
By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 20 Apr 2026Irish super middleweight prospect Tommy ‘The Governor’ Hyde Improves to 15-0 with 10th KO
, Mon, 20 Apr 2026IBA Bare-Knuckle Director attends historic Gambian Elite National Championships
, Sun, 19 Apr 2026Rosales stops Obedencio in RFL 4
By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 19 Apr 2026Atty. Aldwin Alegre shines in 23rd Bangkok Chess Club
By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 19 Apr 2026Suslenkov knocks out Mann to headline explosive IBA Pro 16 night in Serpukhov
, Sat, 18 Apr 2026AJ Manas off to a hot start in Indonesia
By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 18 Apr 2026Camila Zamorano WBC female champion health update
By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sat, 18 Apr 2026PH Athletics team shines in the 2026 Singapore Open Track and Field Championships
By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 18 Apr 2026JESSE RODRIGUEZ CHALLENGES ANTONIO VARGAS FOR WBC BANTAMWEIGHT WORLD TITLE IN GLENDALE ON JUNE 13
, Sat, 18 Apr 2026WEIGH-IN RESULTS AND PHOTOS FROM SD FIGHT NIGHT: FAMILY BUSINESS - TOMORROW, APRIL 18 AT FRONTWAVE ARENA IN OCEANSIDE, CALIF.
, Sat, 18 Apr 2026OFFICIAL ‘REVOLUTION’ WEIGHTS FROM CORK, IRELAND
, Sat, 18 Apr 2026MIKHAIL GRIGORYAN DEFEATS JEO SANTISIMA, CROWNED NEW IBF ASIA LIGHTWEIGHT CHAMPION IN SERPUKHOV
By Dong Secuya, , Sat, 18 Apr 2026Ra’eese Aleem Vows Victory Over Angelo Leo Ahead of May 9th IBF Title Fight in Atlanta
, Sat, 18 Apr 2026WCM Nika Juris Nicolas 10th in Serbia
By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 18 Apr 2026JESSE ‘BAM’ RODRIGUEZ PENS LONG TERM EXTENSION WITH EDDIE HEARN AND MATCHROOM
, Sat, 18 Apr 2026Hermie Rivera: A Fil-Am Original
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, , Fri, 17 Apr 2026 |
|
|
|
|
|
