Kai Sotto joins the newly-promoted Koshigaya Alphas for the 2024-25 B.LEAGUE season, making for an intriguing campaign for both player and team.
Kai Sotto ready for an alpha role?
The 2024-25 B.LEAGUE season marks a new chapter for both Kai Sotto and the Koshigaya Alphas, making for an intriguing dynamic for both player and team.
For Sotto, this is his third season in Japan, but his first with Koshigaya, a team making its debut in B.LEAGUE Division 1 after earning a promotion from B2 with a strong second-place finish last season.
After joining the Alphas as one of five new signings, Sotto is set to play a key role in their quest to prove they belong among Japan’s elite basketball teams.
Sotto’s journey in Japan has been marked by delayed starts due to mid-season arrivals and injuries.
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He first joined the Hiroshima Dragonflies midway through the 2022-23 season and didn’t make his debut for the Yokohama B-Corsairs until December last year, following an injury layoff.
Despite the delayed start, Sotto impressed in his 34 games in Yokohama, posting career-high averages of 12.8 points and 6.4 rebounds per game, proving that he could be a dominant force in the paint when given the opportunity.
However, injuries have continued to be a theme in Sotto’s career. Earlier this year, he suffered another setback while playing for Gilas Pilipinas during the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament, causing him to miss a pivotal semifinals clash against eventual OQT winner Brazil.
Fortunately, Sotto has since recovered and was able to fully participate in Koshigaya’s pre-season build-up, ensuring that he will start the B.LEAGUE season healthy and ready to go for the first time in his career.
Koshigaya’s promotion to Division 1 is a significant milestone for the club, and the Alphas have wasted no time strengthening their roster for the challenge ahead.
In addition to acquiring Sotto, the Alphas bolstered their frontcourt with two more key additions: Tim Soares, who joins from the Nagoya Diamond Dolphins, and veteran Jeff Gibbs previously from the Sunrockers Shibuya.
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In Koshigaya, Sotto will also be playing under head coach Ryuzo Anzai, a proven winner who led the Utsunomiya Brex to the 2022 B.LEAGUE championship.
The Alphas will have a baptism of fire in their first B1 weekend as they will be on the road to take on perennial powerhouse Alvark Tokyo on October 5 and 6.
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[Editor's note: This article was generated by a member of the One Sports Digital team using AI, and then checked by the staff to ensure accuracy.]