Kai Sotto in a Miami Heat uniform?
Why not?
Before everyone starts ordering Heat jerseys with Sotto’s name on the back, I’m not saying our 7-foot-3 kababayan is about to become Bam Adebayo’s new frontcourt partner.
Far from it.
But after what Sotto just did for Gilas Pilipinas, me thinks there’s no harm in Miami kicking the tires.
Sotto averaged 15.5 points, 15 rebounds, and three assists in Gilas’ two victories over Jordan and Iran in the latest window of the FIBA Basketball World Cup Asian Qualifiers.
More importantly, the big guy again showed how different Gilas looks when he’s healthy and on the floor.
Since Tim Cone took over the national team, Gilas is 7-0 in games Sotto has finished and 7-1 overall in games he has played, with the lone defeat coming against Georgia in the 2024 Olympic Qualifying Tournament when he was injured and couldn’t finish.
Coincidence?
Me thinks it’s not.
Cone even described Sotto as playing “like an import” after his latest performances.
So when Cone floated the possibility of talking to Miami about Sotto, my ears naturally perked up.
Remember, Cone has ties with the Heat organization and worked with Miami during NBA Summer League. More importantly, Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra is our kababayan.
Coach Spo, baka naman.
Nobody is suggesting Miami hand Sotto a guaranteed NBA contract. An invitation to training camp? An Exhibit 10 deal? A chance to work out with the Heat and perhaps spend time developing with their G League affiliate, the Sioux Falls Skyforce?
Why not?
At 7-foot-3, Sotto has something you simply cannot teach—height.
The Association has become increasingly populated by unicorns. Victor Wembanyama is 7-foot-4 (and apparently growing). Kristaps Porzingis is 7-foot-2 (Kai’s idol). Chet Holmgren is 7-foot-1.
Teams need bodies to throw at these guys, and Sotto at least has the length to make things interesting.
But there’s work to do.
I’ve written before that Sotto needed to get stronger. Well, he did. Maybe too much.
He looks considerably bulkier now, and me thinks the next step is finding the sweet spot between strength and mobility. NBA basketball requires big men to defend in space, sprint the floor, switch when necessary, and survive against guards who see a lumbering 7-footer and immediately smell barbecue chicken.
Sotto needs to get quicker and perhaps leaner without sacrificing the strength he worked so hard to gain.
That’s where an NBA organization like Miami could help.
The Heat have built a reputation for squeezing production out of players other teams overlook. Sotto doesn’t need to arrive in South Beach expecting minutes. He needs an opportunity to learn, develop, and prove he belongs.
The money, of course, complicates things.
Sotto can earn good money playing in Japan, Australia, Korea, or elsewhere overseas. Going the NBA developmental route could mean taking less guaranteed money and accepting a much less glamorous existence.
That’s where Philippine corporations could perhaps come in.
The MVP Group, San Miguel Corp., and other major companies have poured millions into Philippine basketball. If sponsorships could make the financial sacrifice easier for Sotto while he pursues an NBA opportunity, why not?
Imagine the marketing possibilities if a homegrown Filipino finally reaches The Association.
We’ve had Filipino-American players reach the NBA, but the country continues waiting for that natural-born, homegrown Filipino who grew up in the Philippine basketball system to break through.
Sotto remains our best shot.
And his latest Gilas performances remind us why.
Credit also goes to Cone and the rest of Gilas. AJ Edu has been the perfect frontcourt partner for Sotto. CJ Perez delivered when Gilas needed him. Dwight Ramos provided scoring punch, while Scottie Thompson—five-second inbound violation notwithstanding—again showed that his value isn’t always measured by points.
That’s Scottie.
He rebounds. He defends. He makes winning plays.
Kevin Quiambao also hit a huge 3-pointer against Jordan, while the rest of the roster contributed to a pair of victories that kept Gilas alive in its World Cup qualification campaign.
And, yes, Justin Brownlee is Filipino.
Can we please stop calling Gilas “all-Filipino” whenever Brownlee doesn’t play?
The man is a naturalized Filipino citizen. He’s Pinoy.
Justin Pinoy.
I digress.
The immediate job for Sotto and Gilas is qualifying for the World Cup. The NBA dream can wait.
But if Cone really does have Coach Spo’s number, there’s no harm in making that call.
“Hey, Erik, I’ve got a 7-foot-3 Filipino kid you might want to look at.”
Worst Coach Spo can say is no.
Best case?
Our kababayan finally gets his foot—probably a size-17 one—inside The Association.
And forget No. 11. That number now belongs to Miami’s shiny new recruit and the other half of the Splash Brothers, Klay Thompson.
How about No. 73?
You know, because Kai is 7-foot-3.
Kai Sotto, No. 73, Miami Heat...Has a nice ring to it.
Me thinks that phone call is worth making. Now give CTC that tatlong bente sinko.
