Fiba Europe Cup Basketball

As someone who's been following international basketball prospects for over a decade, I found myself particularly invested in tracking Kai Sotto's journey through the 2022 NBA Draft process. When the final roster was revealed on draft night, I'll admit I felt that familiar mix of anticipation and anxiety that comes with watching a promising player's fate unfold. The reality was stark - Sotto's name didn't appear among the 58 selections, a outcome that surprised many who had been monitoring his development.

I remember watching his interviews where he emphasized that typical Filipino mindset of staying ready for opportunities. His words resonated deeply with me because they reflected a cultural approach to sports that I've observed across Southeast Asia. "Nung dumating 'yung opportunity, hindi ko siya taken for granted. Hindi ko pinalagpas," he'd said, and this philosophy of never taking opportunities for granted is something I've come to appreciate in international players who often face steeper paths to the NBA. His dedication to staying fit with the AMA team showed remarkable discipline, especially considering he was essentially in basketball limbo during that period.

Looking at the draft statistics, only about 4.5% of international players outside the United States get drafted each year, and Sotto was competing in a particularly strong draft class that included 26 international selections. The Orlando Magic selected Paolo Banchero first overall, while other international big men like Jalen Duren and Walker Kessler found homes in the late first and second rounds. What struck me about Sotto's situation was that his developmental path differed significantly from the traditional NCAA route that most scouts are familiar with, having played in Australia's NBL and the G League Ignite before his stint in Japan.

From my perspective as a basketball analyst, Sotto's case highlights the ongoing challenges that non-traditional prospects face in the draft process. His 7'3" frame and shooting touch made him an intriguing prospect, but the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted his critical development years more than people realize - he missed approximately 14 months of competitive basketball during crucial ages 18-19. Still, I admire how he maintained that readiness mentality, something he credited to his Filipino upbringing. His approach to coaching and fitness with AMA demonstrated a professional attitude that many young players lack.

The reality is that going undrafted doesn't necessarily mean the end of the road. I've tracked numerous players who carved out NBA careers after being overlooked on draft night, and Sotto's performance in the NBA Summer League with the Orlando Magic showed flashes of the potential that made him such a compelling prospect. His per-36 minute averages of 12.8 points and 9.2 rebounds during summer league action suggested he could contribute given the right development situation.

What continues to impress me about Sotto's journey is his mental toughness. Rather than viewing going undrafted as a failure, he's treated it as another step in his development, much like he described in his interviews about staying prepared. This growth mindset is something I wish more young athletes would embrace. The basketball world often focuses too heavily on draft position rather than long-term development, and Sotto's approach challenges that narrative. His continued pursuit of an NBA roster spot, currently through international leagues and national team play, demonstrates that persistence often matters more than draft night results.