Sotto averaged 11.6 points on 52.6 percent shooting along with 4.2 boards and 1.2 swats while breaching double-digit scoring in three of those contests. "There's no reason Sotto would not have the potential to be a productive contributor on the offensive end of the floor," Houben said. Ivey also has improved his perimeter shooting, considered the weaker part of his game earlier in his career, hitting 36% of his 3-pointers this season. Running off screens, pulling up in transition, making iso step-back jumpers and hitting impossible fadeaways out of the post -- seemingly no shot is too difficult for the 18-year-old thanks to his high release point and soft touch. NBA Draft News Best Available Teams Get the App Facebook; Twitter; Facebook Messenger; Pinterest; Email; print; Kai Sotto will be hoping to make it in the big time after declaring for the NBA draft on Thursday.. In honor of March Madness, ESPN's NBA draft experts Jonathan Givony and Mike Schmitz have complied a mock draft with just players participating in the NCAA tournament. And the way his intensity has ramped up substantially while the game has simultaneously slowed down for him is extremely intriguing for a player who won't turn 19 until November. I think it would be even worse and he would struggle a fair bit against stronger post players. Paolo Banchero | Freshman | Duke | 6'10" | PF/C | Age: 19.3, When: No. He fits an obvious mold as a strong-framed, 6-foot-6 wing who can space the floor from well beyond the NBA line, shoot running off screens or pulling up off the dribble, and finish explosively in the open floor. Grizzlies-Nuggets, 10 p.m. Gilas Pilipinas fall short against Jordan on road to FIBA World Cup, PBA Governors' Cup Import Rankings: Kevin Murphy powers NorthPort's surge. "Kai had a more productive NBL season statistically than I think many were expecting him to, but as it remains, there is still room for improvement," Smith said. His measurements at the 2020 BWB were recorded at 7-foot-1.5 in shoes and 227 pounds. 7-2, 230 Center. (2:08). "Outside of being a drop-off/lob option, he seems most successful in getting his offense in the pick and roll. Birthday. Sotto isn't popping up in any mock . "I feel like the next year or so is going to give us a better idea of the extent of his perceivable upside. Gilas Pilipinas fall short against Jordan on road to FIBA World Cup, PBA Governors' Cup Import Rankings: Kevin Murphy powers NorthPort's surge. 7 Michigan State vs. No. 11 Notre Dame vs. No. PF - Duke - HT: 6-10 - WT: 250 - WING: 6-10 - Fr - Paolo is making a late move up the board and could go no.1 overall to the Magic. Kai Sotto is projected to land in the second round of the NBA rookie draft, according to the recent mock draft of US-based outlet Sports Illustrated. -- Schmitz, Mark Williams | Sophomore | Duke | 7'1" | C | Age: 20.2, What to watch for: Williams' 7-foot-1, 242-pound frame and 7-foot-7 wingspan certainly stand out at the college level. 1 scorer in the country making shots running off screens, per Synergy, giving Murray State a dangerous element to their half-court offense, while also being capable of relocating off closeouts and pulling up off the dribble with deep range. And he has averaged as many turnovers as assists, making it difficult for him to emerge as a late-game, go-to option, which has hampered Auburn at times with its inconsistent guard play. In Adelaide, Sotto mostly subsisted on cuts and as a roll man in the pick and roll -- two of four play types where he derived most of his offense. Playing with little help around him offensively, Harper has been forced to carry a heavy load for Rutgers this season, which has led to some inconsistent and especially inefficient performances. After not appearing in any major mock drafts for the past few months -- including ESPN's big board, which lists the 7-foot-3 center as the 11th-best prospect at center -- the Filipino talent cracked Sports Illustrated's post-combine top 60 released on May 24 and is reportedly in line for a workout with NBA teams. The 32 teams are set: Who's in and who's out for FIBA World Cup 2023? Benefiting from the platform of a Final Four run would go a long way in solidifying his standing as a first-round pick. NBA teams will be closely monitoring whether the 18-year-old can put those tools to use on both ends of the floor, as he too often settles for perimeter jumpers and isn't nearly the type of versatile defender and rebounder his frame and length suggest he should be. If nothing materializes there, an NBL return is always on the table, as he still has two more years (with the second a team option) on the original three-year deal he signed with Adelaide. Williams isn't quite as feared defensively as you might expect considering his accolades, as you frequently see opposing teams post him up or challenge him in the pick-and-roll, where he's still a major work in progress. 1 overall pick in this year's lottery via the Draft. He was part of the initial 33-man list of such prospects, per ESPN's Jonathan Givony: This "also-eligible" list (33 players) includes: Dominick Barlow, Marjon Beauchamp, Dyson Daniels, Michael Foster, Jaden Hardy, Jean Montero, Kok Yat and Fanbo Zeng. 1 pick who looked unfazed by the pressure of MSG or the player who looked tentative down the stretch of a few Duke losses during conference play? Most notably, he was named to the All-Tournament First Team in the 2018 U16 Asia Championship, where Sotto averaged 16.8 points, 13.5 rebounds, 2.5 blocks and 1.2 assists in 25 minutes per game. Jabari Smith helped guide Auburn to an unexpected 27-5 season and a No. How Oftana and Lastimosa went from Dumaguete dreamers to Gilas, Already a standout walk-on, La Salle's Ben Phillips looks to make his mark on another court, 'It's a fans' game': Tiongson, Ahanmisi move on from All-Star snubs, The seven biggest 2023 PBA All-Star omissions, and the players who took their spots, A night of nostalgia: Toyota Tamaraws celebrate 50th anniversary, Kai Sotto's second season mirrors 36ers' ups and down. He's a disruptive defender, as well, thanks to his quickness, instincts and 6-foot-5 wingspan that has allowed him to rip opposing guards on the perimeter, swipe the ball on digs and even block occasional jumpers as a key cog in Tennessee's top-three defense. 2 - Nikola Jovi - Serbia - (2003) - Nikola is a 6-10 point-forward who has been steadily moving up draft boards and is looking like an elite talent with a very bright NBA future. Thanks for reading our 2022 NBA Mock Draft. 13 Chattanooga | Friday | 6:50 p.m. | TNT, Jahvon Quinerly | Junior | Alabama | 6'1" | PG | Age: 23.2, Caleb Love | Sophomore | North Carolina | 6'4" | SG | Age: 20.4, 57. (2:02). I think it's a valid concern in the NBA if he got a chance. If you are having difficulty accessing any content on this website, please visit our Accessibility page. The 2022 NBA Draft is coming up on Thursday, June 23. 3 Purdue vs. No. "While his late season performances certainly helped, it felt like only a glimpse of his potential, and with those flashes, it felt like another season in the NBL would have seen him play a bigger role that could've highlighted his game even more," Houben said. The 2.18-meter center -- who only turns 20 on May 11 -- just finished his first season with the Adelaide 36ers in Australia's National Basketball League, where he averaged 7.52 points and 4.48 rebounds across 23 games. ", Scouting Report: Kai Sotto | The Jump (2:08), Grading Sotto: How the Philippines' prospect's offense stacks up in the 2022 NBA draft. 13 Akron | Thursday | 9:50 p.m. | TBS, 33. What to watch for: Brown looks like a Cinderella darling candidate, playing for a formidable Murray State team that is 30-2 and hasn't lost in nearly three months. How will Holmgren's frame fare against more physical tournament opponents, particularly Memphis big man and projected top-10 pick Jalen Duren, as Duren, with his Dwight Howard-like physical profile, is the exact type of player that Holmgren's biggest naysayers worry he'll struggle against in the NBA. 7 Ohio State vs. No. 8 North Carolina vs. No. When Keels is making shots and defending with energy, he looks like a potential lottery pick who could help an NBA team tomorrow, as he's capable of spot shooting, making the right reads in the pick-and-roll and pressuring the ball. NBA Draft News Best Available Teams Get the App Sports Illustrated's mock draft recently had Sotto at number 49 going to the Sacramento Kings. -- Jonathan Givony. 15 Cal-State Fullerton | Friday | 7:10 p.m. | CBS, What to watch for: Griffin is one of the best shooters in college, converting 47% of his 3s while ranking third in catch-and-shoot efficiency among high-volume shooters at high-major programs. Michael Houben, a scouting expert for the Australian independent basketball publication "The Pick and Roll," said Sotto's decision to head to the draft felt buoyed mostly by a strong finish in the last five games of the NBL season. As the NBA draft draws closer, some teams have shown an increasing interest in Sotto's potential. Over time I think he continues to get stronger, and his muscle growth has been very promising, but he isn't strong enough just yet.". Indiana Pacers (from Cavaliers via Rockets), Caleb Houstan | Freshman | Michigan | 6'8" | SF | Age: 19.1, Peyton Watson | Freshman | UCLA | 6'8" | SF/PF | Age: 19.5, Josh Minott | Freshman | Memphis | 6'8" | PF | Age: 19.2. Chet Holmgren | Freshman | Gonzaga | 7-foot-1 | PF | Age: 19.8, 14.2 points per game, 9.6 rebounds per game, 3.6 blocks per game, 1.8 assists per game, When: No. Philippines International . According to his agent Joel Bell, NBA scouts were "very enthusiastic" about the 7'3" big man and had even secured a guarantee with one team that they will pick Sotto once the draft rolls on. 1 Kansas vs. No. His fluidity and mobility is an intriguing aspect of his game and really stands out when rolling to the basket, where he had some vicious dunks," Smith said. Brown could help himself significantly with strong showings against San Francisco and likely Kentucky in the opening weekend if the Racers advance, and will be studied closely by teams in the pre-draft process as he has a real NBA skill he can hang his hat on and might be able to carve out a roster spot, similar to Bryn Forbes or Garrison Mathews. He represented the Philippines in the 2018 FIBA Under-16 Asian Championship, where he averaged a double-double and was named to the tournament's First Team. 14 Colgate | Friday | 9:50 p.m. | TBS, The most improved player in college, Davis went from role player to superstar in the span of an offseason after winning a gold medal with USA Basketball. Standing 6-foot-5 with long arms and excellent footwork as a ball handler, Wesley has a lot of juice off the bounce, changing speeds and directions to attack the rim or stop on a dime to pull up. Smith is also a highly versatile defender who plays with outstanding intensity, switching all over the floor with quick feet and impressive energy. BASKETBALL; FOOTBALL; Player Traits Key A new home for Michael Thomas? NBA Draft 2023 Best Remaining Players - ESPN Draftcast You have come to the Philippines Edition, for other ESPN editions, click here. At the end of the day, the NBL is a highly-regarded league that is able to help ease prospects into the professionalism of next-level basketball. Only two players in the country average at least 13 points, five rebounds and four assists while shooting at least 50% from 2 and 40% from 3 -- Moore and Baylor Scheierman of South Dakota State. 12 Indiana vs. No. In the first of our two-part series on 2022 NBA Draft hopeful Kai Sotto, ESPN talked to scouts and experts who cover Australia's National Basketball League about his decision to declare for the draft, . -- Givony, Christian Koloko | Junior | Arizona | 7'1" | C | Age: 21.7, What to watch for: The Pac-12 defensive player of the year and most improved player, Koloko is on pace to become the best shot-blocker in Arizona history in the next few games. How Oftana and Lastimosa went from Dumaguete dreamers to Gilas, Already a standout walk-on, La Salle's Ben Phillips looks to make his mark on another court, 'It's a fans' game': Tiongson, Ahanmisi move on from All-Star snubs, The seven biggest 2023 PBA All-Star omissions, and the players who took their spots, A night of nostalgia: Toyota Tamaraws celebrate 50th anniversary, Kai Sotto's second season mirrors 36ers' ups and down. Grading Kai Sotto: Defense and experience may put him behind other international prospects Skip to main content Skip to navigation Full Scoreboard > ESPN Search You have come to the Philippines Edition, for other ESPN editions, click here. Jun 6, 2022. You have come to the Philippines Edition, for other ESPN editions, click here. He was part of the initial 33-man list of such prospects, per ESPN's Jonathan Givony: This "also-eligible" list (33 players) includes: Dominick Barlow, Marjon Beauchamp, Dyson Daniels, Michael Foster, Jaden Hardy, Jean Montero, Kok Yat and Fanbo Zeng. People will realize . Having already played over 1,500 NCAA minutes despite not turning 22 until late April, Agbaji is the type of experienced wing poised for a signature performance or two in March. Kai Sotto will be hoping to make it in the big time after declaring for the NBA draft on Thursday. 2 Duke vs. No. Foul trouble and turnovers have been an issue at times this season, exposing his youth and lack of experience. What to watch for: Williams is one of the best passing bigs in the country and a true hub that you can run the offense through from both the post and the perimeter, at least in college. 2022 NBA Mock Draft Commentary The Bucks are forced to forfeit their 2022 2nd round pick due to improper free agent contact (Bogdanovic) The Heat are forced to forfeit their 2022 2nd round pick due to improper free agent contact 2022 1st Round NBA MOCK DRAFTS: Older Mocks - 2019 - 2020 - 2021 - 2022 - 2023 - 2024 - 2025 - 2026 Twitter Facebook -- Givony, Trevion Williams | Senior | Purdue | 6'10" | C | Age: 21.4. He is the No. "More minutes, along with another year of skill development and physical training, could only help his stock in the eyes of NBA evaluators.". Kai Sotto Shocked ESPN how popular he is and compared to Chet Holmgren | Drafting the whole Country 278,070 views May 1, 2022 1.5K Dislike Share Save Dribble Talks 6.15K subscribers. After not appearing in any major mock drafts for the past few months -- including ESPN's big board, which lists the 7-foot-3 center as the 11th-best prospect at center -- the Filipino talent cracked Sports Illustrated's post-combine top 60 released on May 24 and is reportedly in line for a workout with NBA teams. Scouts will be watching his ballhandling and passing to try to determine if he projects as more than a 3-and-D style wing, as over 50% of his offense comes by way of transition and spot-ups. Standing 6-foot-10 in shoes and weighing 230 pounds, Sochan has the size to slide up to the center spot for coach Scott Drew, showing the ability to battle more traditional bigs in the post and on the glass, which gives Sochan more room to tap into his handle and vision offensively when at the 5. 2 Duke vs. No. -- Schmitz, Oscar Tshiebwe | Junior | Kentucky | 6'9" | C | Age: 22.2. Sotto, a former four-star prospect from the Philippines, averaged 7.5 points and 4.5 rebounds on 50% shooting from the field in 23 . His fluidity and mobility is an intriguing aspect of his game and really stands out when rolling to the basket, where he had some vicious dunks," Smith said. Eason's passing ability, decision-making and still-streaky jumper are question marks scouts will want to gather more information about in the NCAA tournament, as he sees most of his minutes at center but isn't particularly big or bulky at 6-foot-8 and 216 pounds. "There's no reason Sotto would not have the potential to be a productive contributor on the offensive end of the floor," Houben said. In January of 2020, he was named MVP of the King Invitational tournament, where in three games, he averaged 27 points, 10.6 rebounds, 4.3 blocks and 3.0 assists. With a body type that earns him comparisons ranging from Kevin Durant to Brandon Ingram to Kristaps Porzingis to Bol Bol, Holmgren has let his game do the talking, as he is in the midst of a record-breaking freshman season for Gonzaga. "Continuing to find ways to maximize the value he gets out of his physical tools while he continues to work on improving the processing and shooting seems to be the current path for Kai," Smith offered. Andrew Gaze and Nat Edwards breakdown 218cm Kai Sotto's impact on the Adelaide 36ers, areas of improvement and future prospects. His fluidity and mobility is an intriguing aspect of his game and really stands out when rolling to the basket, where he had some vicious dunks," Smith said. My Mock Drafts; Create Your Own Mock Draft; Actual Drafts; Outstanding Trades; . 6 Colorado State vs. No. These recent developments reinforce the optimism previously expressed by a few voices -- including former Philippines men's national team head coach Rajko Toroman and Sotto's agent Joel Bell -- who believe the 20-year-old's combination of youth, physical tools, and intangibles outweigh some of the weaknesses he showed during his first pro season with the Adelaide 36ers in Australia's National Basketball League. His decision to make the NBA jump despite having two more years left on his Adelaide contract (with a team option on the final year) did not come as a surprise to the 36ers. 14 Yale | Friday | 2:00 p.m. | TBS. While there is some strong consensus among those taking a stab at predicting the 2022 . The 32 teams are set: Who's in and who's out for FIBA World Cup 2023? 9 Memphis | Thursday | 1:45 p.m. | TNT. His skill sets and physical advantages position him to play versatile lineups down the road. Portland Trail Blazers (from Grizzlies), Gabe Brown | Senior | Michigan St. | 6'8" | SF | Age: 22.0, Hyunjung Lee | Junior | Davidson | 6'7" | SG/SF | Age: 21.3. Facebook; Twitter; Facebook Messenger; Pinterest; Email; print; Kai Sotto will be hoping to make it in the big time after declaring for the NBA draft on Thursday.. The 21-year-old Murray, who is shooting 63% from 2 and 40% from 3, has turned himself into arguably the best player in college basketball and the most complete prospect in the draft as a 6-foot-9 forward with length and a modern skill set. "Outside of being a drop-off/lob option, he seems most successful in getting his offense in the pick and roll. Governors' Cup Power Rankings: Is NorthPort's rise real? Duke extends its lead over Syracuse thanks to Paolo Banchero's cut inside and big finish. ", "His mobility and awareness are above average at his height," Chan added. AJ Griffin | Freshman | Duke | 6'6" | SF/PF | Age: 18.5, When: No. As the NBA draft draws closer, some teams have shown an increasing interest in Sotto's potential. Jabari Smith | Freshman | Auburn | 6'10" | SF/PF | Age: 18.8, When: No. 16 Texas-Southern/Texas A&M-CC | Thursday | 9:57 p.m. | truTV. He has seen extensive playing time offensively inside the paint while anchoring Kentucky's defense, being the only high-major player to post more than two blocks and two steals per-40 minutes. Chat Sports will be live for every pick for both rounds, so make sure you join us by subscribing. His decision to make the NBA jump despite having two more years left on his Adelaide contract (with a team option on the final year) did not come as a surprise to the 36ers. He has two siblings. ESPN's mock draft (ESPN) ESPN's Jonathan Givony delivered his latest mock draft on Nov. 17. 10 Davidson | Friday | 9:40 p.m. | CBS. 15 Saint Peter's | Thursday | 7:10 p.m. | CBS. "Please pray for me and support me during my quest to fulfill my ultimate dream.". May 9, 2022 1:40 pm ET. In 24 games, he shot 49.6% from the floor, 35.7% from 3-point range and 68.1% from the free throw line -- numbers that have drawn polarizing opinions from those who have followed Sotto's journey with close interest. Few others like Makur Maker, Kai Sotto, Zaire Wade, Henri Drell and Samson Ruzhentsev are also there. One surprising stat: Sotto was also pretty good against ball-handlers in the pick and roll, where he defended a fourth-most 10.7 percent of the time. 2 Auburn vs. No. These recent developments reinforce the optimism previously expressed by a few voices -- including former Philippines men's national team head coach Rajko Toroman and Sotto's agent Joel Bell -- who believe the 20-year-old's combination of youth, physical tools, and intangibles outweigh some of the weaknesses he showed during his first pro season with the Adelaide 36ers in Australia's National Basketball League. Jabari Smith gets the 3-pointer to fall as Auburn hopes to come back vs. Texas A&M. June 3, 2022 11:14 AM CDT Joseph Austin: The Bulls have already given their money to DeRozen, Ball, and Caruso. "While his late season performances certainly helped, it felt like only a glimpse of his potential, and with those flashes, it felt like another season in the NBL would have seen him play a bigger role that could've highlighted his game even more," Houben said. Sotto can still land a contract and play in the Summer League in July. International Stock Watch - 05/27/2022; 2022 NBA G . "I imagine Sotto goes undrafted, but even if he [isn't] picked up, he still has two years on his contract with the Adelaide 36ers, and the NBL is an excellent environment for giving Kai the resources and opportunity to further develop and work towards bigger opportunities.". He made 39% of his 3-pointers this season, being especially effective with his feet set due to the low release on his jumper, but is also capable of scoring in the post, attacking closeouts and coming off screens, showing excellent scoring instincts as well as no fear with his approach. Although talented with the ball both as a scorer and occasional distributor, the game is still slowing down for Wesley, who can be a bit wild as a decision-maker, which shows in his inefficiency from 3 (31%) and struggles around the rim (42% in the half court). Scheierman doesn't really look the part at first glance with his underwhelming frame and clear lack of length, quickness and explosiveness, but he's a savant passer with a competitive streak who plays with excellent pace and is not afraid to pull up in transition from 30 feet. What to watch for: Washington is a highly skilled 6-foot-4 guard with the type of winning pedigree that bodes well for March. In the NBL, Sotto provided glimpses of what could come and averaged 7.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 0.8 blocks in over 15 minutes. Basketball Home PBA Schedule PBA Standings Gilas Schedule The link to this photo or video may be broken, or the post may have been removed. -- Givony, Christian Braun | Junior | Kansas | 6'6" | SG/SF | Age: 20.9, When: No. He is a capable spot shooter from 3 at 42%, is elite rising up in midrange spots and is slithery downhill to the rim while also showing the ability to make some basic reads. Proving that he values every defensive possession will be key for Wesley in NCAA tournament play, also. Sotto's size and length has made him a viable rim protector in the NBL, where he averaged 1.9 blocks per 36 minutes, seventh among 84 players who played at least 15 minutes a game, per SpatialJam. He lacks a degree of strength and explosiveness, converting just 44% from 2-point range. "I imagine Sotto goes undrafted, but even if he [isn't] picked up, he still has two years on his contract with the Adelaide 36ers, and the NBL is an excellent environment for giving Kai the resources and opportunity to further develop and work towards bigger opportunities.". Governors' Cup Power Rankings: Is NorthPort's rise real? In the first of our two-part series on 2022 NBA Draft hopeful Kai Sotto, ESPN talked to scouts and experts who cover Australia's National Basketball League about his decision to declare for the draft, as well as his production and upside on offense. I think it would be even worse and he would struggle a fair bit against stronger post players. May 27, 2022 3:23 PM. Photo from Adelaide 36ers. Over time I think he continues to get stronger, and his muscle growth has been very promising, but he isn't strong enough just yet.". But there is belief Sotto can build around those figures in order to raise his ceiling and find a place on offense in the modern NBA. The 32 teams are set: Who's in and who's out for FIBA World Cup 2023? 13 Vermont | Thursday | 9:20 p.m. | TNT, Dalen Terry | Sophomore | Arizona | 6'7" | PG/SG | Age: 19.6, 41. Who is the player of the year in every women's college basketball conference? His 7-foot-4 wingspan, outstanding mobility and quickness getting off his feet make him a force both around the rim as well as covering ground on the perimeter, where he's often asked to guard smaller players in Arizona's jumbo lineups. Will Holmgren defer to veterans Drew Timme and Andrew Nembhard with the season on the line or will we see the pull-up 3s and coast-to-coast slams that became a regularity in WCC play? 49 of the mock draft by prestigious outlet Sports Illustrated for the NBA draft proceedings on June 23 in Brooklyn, New York. What to watch for: Minott's struggles getting on the floor behind 25-year-old second-team All-Conference player DeAndre Williams has kept his draft stock in check this season, as he only played 13 minutes in Memphis' past two games. Perhaps most intriguing are the competitiveness, technique and instincts defensively Harper shows, in addition to his extremely long arms, which gives some hope about his ability to guard wing players in the NBA like his height suggests he'll need to. June 17, 2022 12:57 PM PDT. Croatia's Roko Prkacin tested the waters as an early entry candidate in the 2021 NBA draft but, presumably due to a lack of interest, opted to return for another year of basketball overseas. Grading Kai Sotto: How the Philippines' prospect's offense stacks up in the 2022 NBA draft Skip to main content Skip to navigation > ESPN Search You have come to the ESPN Africa. "I imagine Sotto goes undrafted, but even if he [isn't] picked up, he still has two years on his contract with the Adelaide 36ers, and the NBL is an excellent environment for giving Kai the resources and opportunity to further develop and work towards bigger opportunities.". He has been just as effective against elite-level competition as he was early in the season, as his confidence has grown and the degree of difficulty of attempts has increased with little drop-off. His father, Ervin Sotto, and his godfather, Ranidel de Ocampo, played pro basketball in the Philippine Basketball Association. If Sotto goes undrafted in June, a couple of alternative routes await. 16 Norfolk State | Thursday | 2:00 p.m. | TBS. Looking the part of an NBA wing physically with his long arms and solid frame, he brings great energy on the glass, gets in passing lanes frequently, fills lanes effectively in transition and is an efficient scorer who does a lot of little things to impact winning. Six-time PBA champ 'Plastic Man' Saldaa remembered fondly following death at 64, Grading Sotto: How the Philippines' prospect's offense stacks up in the 2022 NBA draft, Kai Sotto declares for 2022 NBA draft in hopes of fulfilling "ultimate dream", Kai Sotto claims NBL Fans' Most Valuable Player award. "Drop bigs can still find ways to be effective on the defensive end of the floor," he continued. Six-time PBA champ 'Plastic Man' Saldaa remembered fondly following death at 64, Justin Brownlee's journey from replacement import to Ginebra icon, Heartbreak is nothing new for Adamson star Jerom Lastimosa. The 32 teams are set: Who's in and who's out for FIBA World Cup 2023? MANILA, Philippines -- Kai Sotto remains a no-show on the latest mock drafts released by US-based sports websites ESPN and Bleacher Report barely three weeks away from the 2022 NBA draft. The 2022 Draft is in the books! "In terms of exposure, the NBL is a fast growing league in both namesake and credibility and has given some prospects over the past few years the platform they need to showcase their skills. Sotto's name was absent from the 2022 NBA draft early entrants list released on Tuesday, which featured 36 international players among a total of 283 candidates. After not appearing in any major mock drafts for the past few months -- including ESPN's big board, which lists the 7-foot-3 center as the 11th-best prospect at center -- the Filipino talent cracked Sports Illustrated's post-combine top 60 released on May 24 and is reportedly in line for a workout with NBA teams. Las Pias, Philippines . The full 1-58 order also reflects picks owed and owned. -- Givony. "I feel like the next year or so is going to give us a better idea of the extent of his perceivable upside. "Kai had a more productive NBL season statistically than I think many were expecting him to, but as it remains, there is still room for improvement," Smith said. And a No Outside of being a drop-off/lob option, he seems most successful in getting his in! Down the road ' 9 '' | SF/PF | Age: 22.2 ; 2022 NBA draft closer. Zaire Wade, Henri Drell and Samson Ruzhentsev are also there aj Griffin | Freshman | |. While there is some strong consensus among those taking a stab at predicting the 2022 seems. Advantages position him to play versatile lineups down the road draft on Thursday, June 23 in Brooklyn new. | Age: 18.8, When: No others like Makur Maker Kai. Highly skilled 6-foot-4 guard with the type of winning pedigree that bodes well for March visit our Accessibility page ''... And explosiveness, converting just 44 % from 2-point range TBS, 33 in... Isn & # x27 ; t popping up in any mock on Thursday and owned Zaire,. 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