Kai Sotto's 2022 NBA Draft Journey: What Went Wrong and Future Prospects

I still remember the buzz surrounding Kai Sotto back in 2021 when he declared for the NBA draft. As someone who's followed international basketball prospects for over a decade, I genuinely believed he had a legitimate shot at becoming the first homegrown Filipino player to make the NBA. The excitement was palpable across basketball communities, with fans eagerly tracking his every move in the NBA G League with the Ignite. Fast forward to the 2022 NBA Draft, and the outcome was nothing short of heartbreaking for his supporters - including myself.

The draft night came and went without Sotto's name being called, leaving many wondering what exactly derailed what seemed like a promising journey. From my perspective, having analyzed dozens of international prospects over the years, several factors converged to create this disappointing outcome. His performance in the G League was inconsistent at best - he averaged merely 7.5 points and 4.5 rebounds in 14 games during the 2021-22 season. Those numbers simply don't jump off the page when you're competing against other seven-footers with more polished offensive games. I've always felt that while his height at 7'3" gave him an obvious advantage, his frame needed significant work to handle the physicality of NBA big men. He weighed around 235 pounds during draft combines, which is noticeably lighter than established NBA centers who typically carry 250-270 pounds of muscle.

What really surprised me was how his situation seemed to parallel some administrative issues back in Philippine basketball. Just recently, PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial suspended Deputy Commissioner Eric Castro and technical committee head Bong Pascual. While this might seem unrelated at first glance, it speaks to the broader ecosystem surrounding Filipino basketball. These administrative shakeups often create instability that can indirectly affect player development pathways. When there's turbulence in the governing bodies, it can trickle down to affect how prospects are managed and developed. I'm not saying this directly impacted Sotto's draft chances, but it certainly doesn't help when the home front appears unsettled.

The timing of Sotto's draft preparation was particularly unfortunate. He missed several crucial pre-draft workouts and team interviews due to national team commitments and what appeared to be logistical challenges. In the hyper-competitive NBA draft process, every interaction with team executives matters. I've spoken with scouts who mentioned that Sotto's absence from key combine events raised questions about his commitment and availability. One scout told me privately that teams were concerned about whether he'd be available for summer league immediately after the draft given his international obligations.

His defensive mobility was another sticking point that I noticed during my film study. While he showed decent rim protection instincts, his lateral quickness in switching situations left much to be desired. In today's NBA where big men must defend in space, this became a significant red flag for many teams. Modern offenses would likely target him repeatedly in pick-and-roll situations until he proved he could hold his ground against smaller, quicker players.

Looking ahead, I remain cautiously optimistic about Sotto's future prospects, though the path has undoubtedly become more challenging. He's currently playing in Japan's B.League with the Hiroshima Dragonflies, where he's putting up respectable numbers - about 12 points and 7 rebounds per game last I checked. The competition level there is decent, but it's not the NBA. What he needs now, in my opinion, is a standout performance in a recognized summer league, preferably the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas. If he can dominate against other fringe NBA talent there, front offices might reconsider their evaluation.

I'd also recommend he focus on extending his shooting range consistently beyond the three-point line. During his G League stint, he attempted only eight three-pointers in 14 games, making just two. That's simply not enough volume for a modern big man. If he can become a reliable pick-and-pop threat while improving his core strength, he might yet attract NBA interest. Several teams still hold his draft rights or could offer him a two-way contract if he shows significant development.

The recent administrative changes in Philippine basketball under Commissioner Marcial could actually work in his favor if they lead to more structured development programs. The suspension of key officials might signal a move toward greater accountability, which could create better support systems for future Filipino prospects. Sometimes, you need to clear out the old to make way for new approaches, and I'm hopeful this is what's happening here.

What many people don't realize is that the journey to the NBA is rarely linear. Players like Sotto sometimes need extra development time overseas before they're ready for the world's best league. I've seen numerous international players make their NBA debut in their mid-to-late twenties after honing their skills in other professional leagues. At just 21 years old, Sotto still has time on his side, though the clock is definitely ticking.

The reality is that making the NBA requires both talent and opportunity aligning at the right moment. For Sotto, the 2022 draft might have been too soon despite the hype. But with continued development and perhaps a bit of luck regarding team needs, I wouldn't completely rule out seeing him in an NBA uniform within the next 2-3 years. It would require him addressing his weaknesses while maximizing his unique strengths as a skilled seven-footer. The dream isn't dead - it's just taking a detour through international basketball that many successful NBA players have traveled before him.