Kai Sotto does not want to be like Denver Nuggets big man Nikola Jokic. But, the 7’2” Sotto said being as good as Jokic is one of his goals.
Sotto said this in response to National Basketball Association G League coach Brian Shaw’s comments that the 7’0” Jokic is the perfect role model of the young Filipino cager.
The 18-year-old Sotto shared his thoughts a few days before he NBA G League yesterday revealed the name its new team of elite prospects. He made his feelings known during the weekly program of Noli Eala on Power & Play.
The squad will be known as the NBA G League Ignite, and this group recently began training with Shaw in Walnut Creek, California.
“It’s not to be like Jokic, but to be as good as him,” said Sotto, who added that he still has a lot to learn at this point.
Shaw has seen Sotto from afar, and right before they started training together.
He observed that Sotto can play with his back to the basket, as well as facing the basket, and facilitate for his teammates.
And these are moves that Jokic is known for.
Sotto is part of the team, which dedicated to developing top young players through a one-year program.
NBA G League Ignite is focused on NBA Draft readiness and growth of professional life skills.
Sotto has joined top high school prospects Jalen Green, Jonathan Kuminga, Daishen Nix, and Isaiah Todd, along with NBA Global Academy graduate Princepal Singh in the team.
They have started their professional careers with NBA G League Ignite and are now receiving mentorship and life skills training as part of the professional development program.
“I think it’s big thing for me to compared to him, because we all know him as a great player,” said Sotto.
Also known as “The Joker”, Jokić is a 41st overall pick in the second round by the Denver Nuggets in the 2014 NBA draft, and has been with the franchise for the last five years.
“We are thrilled to officially announce NBA G League Ignite as the name of our new team for elite prospects and we think it’s a fitting moniker for a group comprised of young players taking the first step of their promising professional careers,” said NBA G League President Shareef Abdur-Rahim.
Shaw is serving as head coach of NBA G League Ignite, which is unaffiliated with any existing NBA G League franchise or NBA team.
NBA G League Ignite has gathered in Walnut Creek, Calif., and started one-on-one skill development training with Shaw and his staff, which includes assistant coach Rasheed Abdul-Rahman, video coordinator Jerry Woods and athletic trainer Pete Youngman.
