Kai Sotto relishes training with Amar’e Stoudemire, ex-NBA players

Despite not being able to play for the Ignite team in the NBA G League bubble earlier this year, Kai Sotto continues to receive high-level training in the United States, as he recently joined former NBA All-Star Amar’e Stoudemire in a workout in Miami.

“Sobrang saya ko nung time na ‘yun, kaya ‘di ko rin makakalimutan yung moment na kasama ko siya,”said Sotto of his workout with the 2003 NBA Rookie of the Year Stoudemire during a special press conference on Wednesday, April 21.

(I was very happy during that time. I won’t forget that moment with him.)

The 18-year-old Sotto also recalled his conversation with Stoudemire about the latter’s STAT: Standing Tall and Talented children’s book, which the 7-foot-3 Filipino basketball wunderkind received from his father Ervin during one of his birthdays.

“Unang sinabi ko sa kanya ay nung mas bata pa ako, binigay na birthday gift ng dad ko yung isang libro niya, STAT: Standing Tall and Talented. Kwinento ko ‘yun sa kanya at tuwang-tuwa siya.” 

(First thing I told him was when I was a kid, my father gave me his STAT: Standing Tall and Talented children’s book for my birthday. I shared that to him and he was very happy.)

“Sobrang gandang feeling lang na galing sa Pilipinas, binasa ko lang yung libro niya, at napapanood ko lang siya sa YouTube, sa TV dati, at nung nakita ko siya in person, ‘di ko sinayang yung opportunity na ‘yun na sabihin sa kanya ‘yun,” he added.

(It was a very nice feeling because coming from the Philippines, I only read his book, and I only watched him on YouTube and on TV. When I saw him in person, I did not waste the opportunity to share that story to him.) 

Aside from his workout with the former Phoenix Suns and New York Knicks star Stoudemire, Sotto also revealed that he has been playing with ex-NBA players like Brandon Knight and Greg Monroe, as well as ex-PBA imports Lester Prosper and Elijah Millsap. 

Sotto, who is set to play for the Adelaide 36ers in the NBL, said he enjoys having that top-notch competition every day, and he is very grateful for the opportunity of playing against more seasoned veterans.

“I’ve been playing with those guys ever since last week. That has been very memorable to me because during my time in Miami, I enjoyed getting that kind of competition every day, and I am very blessed to have that opportunity,” he said in a mix of English and Filipino. – Rappler.com