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. (2:08). 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. The league loves him, the fans love him, and he will undoubtedly grow into one of the league's best big men if he continues to play in Australia," said Houben. Who is the player of the year in every women's college basketball conference? In the eyes of these experts, Sotto lags behind his fellow international draft prospects and might have to wait a bit before being able to get a shot at playing in the NBA. 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. "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. 32 NFL players who could change teams this offseason, What NBA Finals runs from LeBron, Giannis can teach Jayson Tatum, Sizing up the player of the year winners in all 32 Division I men's conferences. 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. "Kai is a positive influence who brings energy and effort to the team at practices and games everyday. When Christie's jumper is falling, it's easy to see him getting looks in the late first-round, projecting somewhere between Landry Shamet and Primo on his best days. MANILA, Philippines Sports Illustrated has projected Kai Sotto as the No.49 overall pick by the Sacramento Kings in its mock draft for the 2022 NBA Draft. Here's a look at the two-round mock draft: ESPN NBA Mock Draft Chet Holmgren, PF (Gonzaga), Houston Rockets Jabari Smith, SF/PF (Auburn), Orlando Magic Paolo Banchero, PF/C (Duke), Indiana Pacers Tshiebwe lacks some modern elements to his game, having a difficult time defending in space on the perimeter, scoring outside the paint and facilitating for others, but it's difficult to argue with his productivity and sheer intensity, which should give him a ready-made role early in his NBA career. With legitimate guard skills that allow him to initiate Duke's offense in transition and function as a pick-and-roll ball handler in the half court, Banchero is a true mismatch nightmare, comparing favorably to post-injury Blake Griffin with his combination of power, agility and court vision. "More minutes, along with another year of skill development and physical training, could only help his stock in the eyes of NBA evaluators.". 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. More mobile than overly quick or explosive, he'll have to rely more on skill than vertical pop in the NBA, making it that much more important that he is at least a threat from 3 to open up the rest of his game. 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. Scouts will want to see if he can turn that talent into consistent and efficient production - on both ends -- in do-or-die games that matter before anointing him a surefire first-round pick. -- Givony. On to. Six-time PBA champ 'Plastic Man' Saldaa remembered fondly following death at 64, Kai Sotto declares for 2022 NBA draft in hopes of fulfilling "ultimate dream", Kai Sotto claims NBL Fans' Most Valuable Player award. However, he toggles between brilliant moments and head-scratching ones, not always quite as consistently aggressive as you'd hope in big moments given his experience. He also has gradually emerged as a more consistent force in Purdue's half-court offense, doing a better job of harnessing his explosiveness, picking his spots and making others better, even if his decision-making still leaves something to be desired at times. 7 Murray State vs. No. The 6-foot-6 Summit league player of the year wears many hats as their primary facilitator, leading rebounder and 47% 3-point shooter, sliding between the point guard and power forward spots for an up-tempo, undersized team that ranks as the best 3-point shooting team in the country. Mike Schmitz is an NBA Draft expert and a contributor to DraftExpress.com, a private scouting and analytics service utilized by NBA, NCAA and International teams. 2022 NBA mock draft - Where do Paolo Banchero and Duke stars land after Champions Classic? Theodore Chan, Adelaide's scouting director, insists Adelaide benefited from having Sotto on the defensive end, where the center's aggression and willingness to mask his deficiencies served the 36ers (109.9 defensive rating, sixth among 10 teams) well at various points in the season. Rediscovering his defensive toughness, finding a rhythm from 3 and determining the right blend between scoring and playmaking will go a long way in solidifying his status as a top-20 prospect. His shooting stroke was apparent at times, but Sotto did not take enough 3s and attempted just 14 shots from beyond the arc through 24 games, including just four from the corners. While Washington isn't the most dynamic player or overly shifty ball handler, scouts will be studying his ball skills and ability to break down his man, as he has been far more efficient and effective against lesser teams, boasting a 50.5 true shooting percentage (TS%) in 21 games against teams with a winning record versus a 61.5 TS% in nine games against teams under .500. 7 Ohio State vs. No. He's coachable and receptive to feedback from coaches and teammates," Chan said. Asked if this means Sotto might be limited mostly to defending in drop coverage as to being able to defend in more aggressive schemes in the NBA, Houben concurred. -- Schmitz, Johnny Davis | Sophomore | Wisconsin | 6'5" | PG/SG | Age: 20.0, When: No. -- Givony, Trevion Williams | Senior | Purdue | 6'10" | C | Age: 21.4. "I remember I really liked his passing for a big man but his body was a big problem. The 32 teams are set: Who's in and who's out for FIBA World Cup 2023? NBA Draft News Best Available Teams Get the App 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. "Drop bigs can still find ways to be effective on the defensive end of the floor," he continued. "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. The league loves him, the fans love him, and he will undoubtedly grow into one of the league's best big men if he continues to play in Australia," said Houben. 11 - Kai Sotto. Somewhat of a jack of all trades, master of none, Braun's ability to emerge as a consistent scoring presence, and not run away from open jump-shots, will be scrutinized by scouts as the stakes rise in big moments. 6 Alabama vs. No. BASKETBALL; FOOTBALL; Player Traits Key When given the opportunity, Minott has shown impressive flashes of talent with the footwork, body control, quickness getting off his feet and touch he demonstrates from the free-throw line and around the rim, along with how hard he plays on both ends of the floor. 12 Richmond | Thursday | 3:10 p.m. | truTV. 2 Auburn vs. No. Kai Sotto's NBA draft quest falls short as teams pass on the Filipino prospect You have come to the ESPN Africa edition, for other ESPN editions, click above. "I think mock draft boards are great for the general public's . 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. -- 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. He also posted the sixth-highest block rate (5.3 percent) among 76 players who played at least 350 minutes, according to the website. Today we look at Sotto's decision to declare for the draft and what he brings on offense. -- Givony. 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. His father, Ervin Sotto, and his godfather, Ranidel de Ocampo, played pro basketball in the Philippine Basketball Association. "I remember I really liked his passing for a big man but his body was a big problem. If he can, that would go a long way in convincing execs the Iowa star isn't just a "high-floor NBA starter" but rather that his production is more than a product of Iowa's system and he belongs in the same conversation as Holmgren and Smith as a member of the draft's elite. I think it's a valid concern in the NBA if he got a chance. 1.7K. 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. Even so, a possible callup in the second round remains within the realm of possibility. 3 Purdue vs. No. (2:08). We'll learn more about Christie's ability to take and make big shots in clutch moments during Michigan State's NCAA tournament run, which will either put scouts at ease about the 19-year-old's underwhelming freshman campaign or suggest that he clearly needs more seasoning at the collegiate ranks before making the pro leap. 10 San Francisco | Thursday | 9:40 p.m. | CBS. Kai Sotto hasn't really been in a lot of 2022 NBA mock drafts. 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. What to watch for: Christie is a 6-foot-6 guard who has the type of footwork to develop into both an on-the-move shooter and sound defender as he continues to grow in the toughness, confidence and experience departments. Sotto was considered a consensus four-star recruit. 4 Illinois vs. No. What to watch for: Agbaji has been one of the NCAA's most consistent players, reaching double figures in scoring and knocking down at least one 3-pointer in 32 of 33 games while also converting a remarkable 75% of his shots at the rim. Kai Sotto - NBA Draft Room Kai Sotto NBA DRAFT SCOUTING REPORT Draft Notes Sotto is an intriguing prospect who comes from good basketball bloodlines (father Ervin Sotto) and who has shown marked improvement in his frame over the past couple of seasons. His play can open up an opportunity for a two-way contract later down the road. While there is some strong consensus among those taking a stab at predicting the 2022 . Sotto never ended up playing for the Ignite, as he opted to play for the Philippine national team at the 2021 FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers. . "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.". 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 . At 6-foot-6 with a strong frame and a 7-foot wingspan, in theory, Moore is the exact type of versatile wing the NBA covets. 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. NBA personnel have been keeping track of him so he will have his fair chance of being considered," said Theodore Chan, Adelaide's scouting director. Here are some more mocks to check out: NBA MOCK DRAFTS: Older Mocks 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026, Remember to bookmark and add to your home-screen, 5-Star Corner: Patrick Baldwin Jr. Interview, A Closer Look At Bronny James as a NBA Draft Prospect, Talented Sons of Famous NBA Fathers Part 2, Thoughts On How The 2022 NBA Draft Played Out, The 10 Top Freshman in High School Basketball, Draft Buzz: Freshmen Ballers Off To A Fast Start, State of the 2023 NBA Draft An Early Look, The Elite 25 The Top Pro Prospects In High School Basketball, 2026 NBA Draft Prospect Rankings (2025 recruiting class), Victor Wembanyamas Physical Profile and NBA Comparisons, The 10 Top Freshmen In High School Basketball Class of 2026 Recruits, Re-Draft of the 2022 NBA Draft, Top 20 2 Months Into The Season, My Guys Prospects Im Irrationally High On In The 2023 Draft, 2023 NBA Draft Big Board Early Season Edition, Upperclassmen Moving Up The Draft Board The Desmond Bane Effect, The Elite 25 The Top NBA Prospects In High School Basketball Fall 2022, April 13-16 The 2022 Portsmouth Invitational Tournament, June 1 Early Entry Withdrawal Deadline (NCAA deadline). 11 Notre Dame/Rutgers | Friday | 4:15 p.m. | TNT, Who is 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. How scouts feel about his confidence and aggression will go a long way in determining whether NBA teams view him as the next productive college upperclassmen turned draft-day steal la Herb Jones and Ayo Dosunmu. Portland Trail Blazers (from Pelicans), Bennedict Mathurin | Sophomore | Arizona | 6'6" | SF | Age: 19.7, When: No. 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. Sotto can still land a contract and play in the Summer League in July. 329m goal: Felix the only men's contender for Chelsea's Goal of the Month, UFC 285's Shevchenko by the numbers: It all adds up to domination, A battle for No. Before the NCAA Tournament ends, though, ESPN released an updated NBA mock draft, with the projected draft order based on ESPN's BPI ratings. 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. Hell have to develop his lower body strength and work on his agility and foot-speed to be able to defend at the next level. NBA teams will be intrigued by his physical profile, age and long-term upside, but avoiding some of the lapses defensively that have plagued him at times and finishing the season on a good note will certainly help his cause.-- Givony, 16. "Outside of being a drop-off/lob option, he seems most successful in getting his offense in the pick and roll. With the 2021 NBA Draft in the books, Jason McIntyre looks ahead to the top 30 players available in 2022. . Sotto is an intriguing prospect who comes from good basketball bloodlines (father Ervin Sotto) and who has shown marked improvement in his frame over the past couple of seasons. 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 . "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. He is a natural with the ball in his hands, changing speeds and directions at will to either generate offense for himself or his teammates. (2:08). The highest-ranked prospect, 6-foot-10 French center Ousmane Dieng who is projected by ESPN to be selected 11th overall in the next NBA Draft, is norming just 4.83 points and 2.33 rebounds for the . 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. "The first thing that stands out with Kai is that the size is very real. He is a lights-out shooter with NBA range who doesn't need much time to get his shot off, even sprinting around screens like a wing. 6 LSU vs. No. Gonzaga's Chet Holmgren elevates and jams it home vs. San Francisco. Those who followed him closely through high school have long raved about his competitiveness and winning spirit, which despite nagging injuries did shine through at times during his freshman campaign. They currently own the. -- Schmitz, 10. His progress is ideal for both a foreign kid and a 7-3 unicorn.". Adelaide (109.9 defensive rating, sixth among 10 teams) held them to just 0.72 PPP during those possessions (league average is 0.86 PPP allowed), per InStat -- an indication that the big man pushed back when smaller attackers targeted him in the two-man game. What to watch for: Ivey is the most electric guard in college, possessing the type of extra gear-changing speeds in the open floor that few NBA players possess. Sochan's upside and draft stock will ultimately be decided by the type of shooter NBA teams think he can become, as he has converted just 29.2% of his 3s and 57.5% of his free throws. Smith, meanwhile, says the NBL is a great avenue for Kai to continue growing as a professional at this stage in his young career. It has . June 17, 2022 12:57 PM PDT. 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.". 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espn nba mock draft 2022 kai sotto