In a limited run, Kai Sotto showcased flashes of brilliance with the Yokohama B-Corsairs in the 2023-24 B.League season.
Free agent big man Kai Sotto always lives up to the “Band of Brothers” mantra he learned playing with Ateneo in the early stages of his basketball career.
The mantra has carried on, as the 7'3" slotman now goes through the rigors of being a professional overseas.
“I don’t have a favorite moment, I love every single one of them. All the guys are my brothers,” Sotto answered when asked of his favorite teammate upon looking back to his best season yet, the 2023-24 campaign with the Yokohama B-Corsairs in Japan's B.League.
As injury derailed the start of his second year in Japan, Sotto was loaned to Yokohama from Hiroshima last December 2023, the move later blossomed into Kai's the most productive season yet.
In his 34-game stint with the B-Corsairs, Kai averaged 12.8 points, 6.4 rebounds and 1.1 blocked shots per game while playing alongside superstar point guard and MVP Yuki Kawamura, who was honored among the Best Five players in the B.League top flight division this season.
[ALSO READ: Who is Yuki Kawamura, the point guard that gets Kai Sotto buckets?]
While in Yokohama, Kai logged eight double-doubles and scored his career-high in points, a 28-point effort against Alvark Tokyo.
Yokohama, however, announced last May 21 that Sotto and the squad have parted ways, leaving Kaiju without a team.
[ ALSO READ: Kai Sotto enters B.League free agency as loan period with Yokohama ends]
Kiefer Ravena is now the Asian import of the B-Corsairs, announcing they signed the former Shiga Lakes guard to squad for the 2024-25 season.
[ALSO READ: Kiefer Ravena stays put in Japan, teams up with B. League MVP Yuki Kawamura in Yokohama B-Corsairs]
Asked about his favorite moment of the season, the Gilas big man recalled Yokohoma’s last game against the Kawasaki Brave Thunders that resulted in a 87-79 win despite Sotto not playing.
“[It’s] probably the last game even though I didn’t play. It was fun watching the guys play and ending a season with a win.”
Yokohama ended the season with a 24-36 win-loss record, good for sixth place in the Central Division. The team missed the playoffs after making it to the semifinals in 2023.
Part of the B.League interview though, Sotto also shared his favorite phrase and his answer just showed he's always been a great teammate after all.
“Aishiteru Kyodai, that’s what I tell my teammates. Aishiteru Kyodai, you’re my brother.”
All eyes now are still where and which team Kaiju will play.
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