Courtesy: FIBA
Kai Sotto’s plan to move to the USA NCAA Division 1 school Texas A&M in a bid to revive his NBA dreams was shattered after the league deemed the Gilas Pilipinas standout ineligible due to his status as a professional player.
Veteran sports analyst and columnist Quinito Henson of the Philippine Star first reported that the NCAA rejected Sotto’s transfer request in compliance with the new rules on players who have played professionally.
The NCAA released new guidelines regarding the matter last May, stating that any athlete who has “entered an agreement with, competed on, or received compensation from a team that participates in a league with minimum compensation that exceeds actual and necessary expenses” can no longer revert to being an amateur player.
Sotto has been in the pro ranks since December 2021 when he joined the Adelaide 36ers in Australia’s National Basketball League.
He also suited up for the Hiroshima Dragonflies, Yokohama B-Corsairs, and Koshigaya Alphas in the Japan B.League.
Sotto applied for the 2022 NBA Draft but went undrafted.
In 2023, he saw action for the Orlando Magic in the NBA Summer League.
A few days ago, Gilas coach Tim Cone was accidentally overheard saying he would try to help Sotto make it to the Miami Heat after the 7-foot-3 center powered Gilas to a sweep of the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers fourth window.
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