Brownlee: Kai Sotto has NBA potential

Justin Brownlee believes Kai Sotto possesses the skills and potential to play in the NBA following Sotto's career-best performance against New Zealand.

Sotto achieved a career-high of 19 points, complemented by 10 rebounds, seven assists, two blocks, and one steal, leading Gilas Pilipinas to a historic 93-89 victory.

This win marked the Philippines' first-ever defeat of New Zealand and maintained their undefeated status in the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers.

Brownlee highlighted Sotto's physical attributes, including his height and size, along with his continuous skill development as reasons for his NBA readiness.

Sotto previously attempted to enter the NBA in 2022 but went undrafted, aiming to become the first homegrown Filipino player in the league.

Despite the earlier setback, Brownlee noted Sotto's significant improvement over the past two years, citing his participation in various international tournaments such as the 2023 FIBA World Cup and the 2024 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament as crucial for his growth.