Sotto relishes NBA All-Star experience

MANILA, Philippines — Kai Sotto tried to savor every moment in an official NBA atmosphere, standing stall among the best young cagers at the start of the Basketball Without Borders (BWB) Global Camp at the Chicago, Illinois.

The 7-foot-2 Filipino prodigy showed his wares yesterday against 63 boys and girls from around the world, who were selected to experience exclusive training under NBA and WNBA players, coaches and trainers.

Currently playing for Atlanta-based prep program The Skills Factory (TSF) National, Sotto provided a highlight reel of dunks, shooting, passes and post-moves in the three-day camp serving as sidelight to the 2020 NBA Chicago All-Star Weekend.

Sotto said he is grateful for the golden opportunity that only moved him closer to a coveted dream of becoming the first Pinoy homegrown player in the NBA.

“Much respect and honor to be invited and playing behind such incredible men that have walked before me. Let’s do this,” said the 17-year-old wunderkind on the camp organized by the NBA and FIBA.

The ex-UAAP MVP and Gilas Pilipinas youth main anchor also had a chance to chat with NBA champion Pascal Siakam of the Toronto Raptors, who is a proud product of the BWB Global Camp.

“Sometimes, it’s not the game on the court, it’s the life that the game brings you. Learn from those that walked before you,” he added, hoping to follow the trail blazed by the Cameroonian Siakam.

Aside from Siakam, also serving as coaches are BWB Global Camp alumni Tacko Fall (Senegal) of Boston Celtics, Davis Bertans (Latvia) of Washington Wizards, Lauri Markkanen (Finland) of Chicago Bulls and RJ Barrett (Canada) of New York Knicks.

This BWB Global Camp is just the latest milestone of Sotto overseas after copping an MVP and Mythical Five honors last month in two major high school tournaments participated by top US NCAA D-1 prospects.