From the B.League to FIBA play, February has been a strong month for the fit-again Kai Sotto, setting career-highs for Yokohama and Gilas Pilipinas.
Kaiju back?
From the B.League to FIBA play, February has been a strong month for the fit-again Kai Sotto.
After missing the first half of his season in Japan due to a bad back, and his transfer to Yokohama slowed by a tweak ankle, Kai has picked up the pace just as his health and conditioning improved.
Now, a healthy Sotto is back to looking like a prime prospect, which he actually is as a 21-year-old.
Here’s how his month looked like:
February 3 - 9 points, 2 rebounds vs. Levanga Hokkaido
February 4 - 10 points, 2 rebounds vs. Levanga Hokkaido
February 7 - 5 points, 10 rebounds vs. SR Shibuya
Kai first showed true promise in the Shibuya game that featured Japan’s naruralized center Josh Hawkinson. Sotto grabbed a then season-high 10 rebounds while playing a then career-high 26 minutes and 56 seconds in a Yokohama win.
February 10 - 18 points, 10 rebounds vs. Chiba Jets
February 11 - 26 points, 11 rebounds vs. Chiba Jets
In the game of his professional life, Kai scored his career-high to help the B-Corsairs stop the red-hot Chiba Jets in overtime. Sotto also reset his career-high in minutes in this game, while his 11 rebounds are the second-most for his stint in Japan.
February 22 - 13 points, 15 rebounds, 2 blocks vs. Hong Kong
In his first game under coach Tim Cone with Gilas Pilipinas, Kai balled out and grabbed a career-high rebounds in FIBA men’s play.
February 25 - 18 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 blocks vs. Chinese Taipei
Arguably his most complete game for Gilas Pilipinas, Kai filled the stat sheet with an impressive showing at home, helping the national team to a perfect start in the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers.
18 points also mark Sotto’s career-high for FIBA play since making his senior national team debut in 2020.