Filipino basketball sensation and 1xBet Ambassador Kai Sotto is pursuing his dream of reaching the NBA, having honed his skills around the world in recent years. The 22-year-old speaks with IAG about his 1xBet partnership and what drives him to succeed.
Kai Sotto is one of the most talented and decorated pro basketball players in all of Asia, towering at 7ft, 3 inches. Since emerging as a talent at a very young age, he has played for NBA G League Ignite, in the NBA Summer League with the Orlando Magic, and in Australia’s NBL pro league with the Adelaide 36ers. He was also part of the 36ers team that played against NBA teams in the 2022 pre-season. Kai is currently focusing on joining the Koshigaya Alphas in the Japan B.League this summer with the goal and final destination of making it to the NBA full time in 2025. IAG spoke with Kai about his career and why he recently became a 1xBet ambassador in Asia.
Inside Asian Gaming: Tell us about your partnership with 1xBet. What attracted you to this brand?
Kai Sotto (KS): Just like in basketball, you have to take risks. They were new to market and I wanted to give them an opportunity to determine if it would be a good partnership long-term. I like working with respectful brands that accept my family and my team as one and who like to be innovative in the marketplace.
IAG: What does this partnership mean to you?
KS: This is an opportunity to bring more commerce to my country and to give back to my countrymen and women another gaming company opportunity. In 2023, the whole world saw how popular basketball is in the Philippines when the World Cup was held there, and it continues to lead the world with passion for gaming of all kinds.
IAG: How exactly?
KS: Our agreement with 1xBet provides a number of media activities, as well as some very cool giveaways that I have signed. It’s important to me that 1xBet be present in the community, to see face-to-face the people and the community and provide me a platform to do the same. I only want to partner with brands that have unlimited resources to give back to the communities and my fans worldwide.
IAG: You recently spent a few years with the Adelaide 36ers in Australia’s NBL, which is renowned as one of the toughest leagues in the world outside the NBA. How would you assess your time there?
KS: Australia was great. The team was solid and development was good. I learned a lot there and I advise young players not to be afraid to go there – it is an amazing pro league and one that is respected by the NBA and many pro players worldwide who want to play at a high level.
IAG: You’ve spent the past few seasons playing in the Japan B.League and posting some pretty impressive numbers. How has the experience been for you?
KS: I love Japan, I love the fans and my teammates are great. It’s a really great experience. I like the balance of the league and the intensity of competition yet also the respect the players have for one another. The fans both new and old know how to have fun. It’s entertaining and energetic to say it best. To hear “Kaiju” – my nickname – chanted when I’m on the court really makes me smile and motivates me to do this for them as well.
IAG: What is your main focus while playing in Japan?
KS: Every time, I focus on my development and getting my game to a new level. That will never stop. I also enjoy being a great teammate and winning.
IAG: What are you trying to achieve and what parts of your game are you working on specifically?
KS: I’m always staying focused on becoming the first full Filipino to make the NBA and have a long pro career. There will never be a part of my game that won’t need to be developed. There will always be room for greatness, so new dunks, new shots, new plays, new defenses, new teams. Greatness is a journey and takes years of hard work and resilience. I also want to be the longest-standing and most successful national team player for my country. It’s important for me to continue to build a legacy of greatness, and one day I would like the Gilas Program to beat Team USA and other Top Gold Programs in the FIBA World Cup.
IAG: You’ve been linked with a move to the NBA in the future. How do you stay focused on the task at hand?
KS: I take one day at a time, just focus on my current job and leave the rest to my management team and agent.
IAG: What would playing in the NBA mean to you?
KS: It would mean everything not just for me but for my family and my country. As I said earlier, to be the first basketball player born in the Philippines to make it to the league is my dream – not only because of personal ambition but also because it would help even more young players fall in love with basketball and start playing the best game in the world.
IAG: With basketball being so hugely popular in the Philippines, how do you deal with fame?
KS: I don’t ever consider it fame. It’s my family. It’s my home. It’s my career. It’s my passion. It’s my legacy. It’s a gift that God has given me to share with the world.
IAG: Are you prepared for how popular you will become particularly if you make it in the NBA?
KS: It’s not about being popular. It’s about doing your job for your country and proudly representing my family and our country. In such a situation, you need to remember that you represent not only yourself but also more than 109 million of your compatriots.
IAG: Growing up as a basketball fan, which players did you look up to and why?
KS: Tim Duncan. He was amazing, one of the best players in history. Five-time NBA champion and one of the most accomplished big men ever. He was also a player who made his teammates better and knew how to sacrifice personal statistics for the sake of the team’s victory. He was voted by his peers as one of the “100 Greatest Professional Basketball Players of the 20th Century”. There is no greater goal and mentor to follow than one of the greats.
IAG: Is there anyone you’ve tried to model your game on?
KS: No, I am myself.
IAG: Were you happy with your progress? Do you feel like you’re now ready for the NBA?
KS: When I’m ready it will be the perfect timing. Until then, I’m focused on being the best pro player I can be.
IAG: Finally, as a proud Filipino who has already represented his country, what does it mean to you to pull that national jersey on?
KS: It’s why I play. It is always important to represent my country. I have already talked about the FIBA Worlds. Getting to [the World Cup] has been my dream since childhood, and this dream has come true. Now, it’s time to move towards new goals.
