Kai Sotto’s performance in the FIBA Asia Under-16 Championship was the young center’s “Hello, world” moment that put the international media on notice.
In a post-tournament wrap posted on the FIBA website Sunday, one article called Sotto, who averaged 16.8 points, 13.5 rebounds and 2.5 blocks, the “tournament’s best player.”
“The (7-foot-1) Filipino giant may have fallen short of carrying the Philippines to a podium finish, but he certainly caught the attention of everyone,” the article said.
“It’s rare for a 15-year-old Asian to be his size, but it’s even rarer for someone his size to have the skills he has shown this past week.
“If his growth, development and maturity don’t get derailed, Kai could be Asia’s next Yao Ming.”
In a separate article posted on Tuesday, FIBA confirmed that Sotto was part of the Mythical First Team, showering the Ateneo Blue Eaglet more praise.
“(Sotto) has become man, myth and legend in this age where social explodes with the latest trend, and boy did his star shine on social media these past few days,” the article noted.
“His back-to-back monster games against Japan and China carried into the stratosphere as the tournament’s most efficient player. It’s a no-brainer he is here.”
Sunday’s article also noted how the Philippines, known more for its speed than size, has now changed the way it plays.
“This time around it was crystal clear that their offense revolved around their prized center Kai Sotto and even other giants like (6-foot-7) Raven Cortez and (6-foot-8) Geo Chiu,” it said.
“Their sets were predicated on giving their bigs the chance to get the ball in the low block, which is something we’ve never seen before from them.”
