Philippines NBA hope Kai Sotto leaves G League Ignite
- Teenager had travelled to meet up with national team ahead of ill-fated Fiba Asia Cup qualifiers in Qatar but returned to US
- ‘Kai will always be part of the extended Ignite family and we wish him continued success as he pursues his NBA dreams,’ says G League
Philippines NBA prospect Kai Sotto has left the G League Ignite team, the league confirmed, putting an end to speculation over the teenager’s immediate future.
Sotto, 18, signed for the G League’s talent hothouse but left the US before the season started this month to represent the Gilas Pilipinas men’s basketball team at a FIBA Asia Cup qualifying tournament.
The tournament in Qatar was subsequently cancelled over Covid-19 concerns, with games moved back to the Philippines to be played at a later date.
Philippines sports website Spin reported that Sotto left for the US on February 14 after deciding with the Philippines Basketball Association (SBP) that he would not take part in the Fiba window as there was no start date.
The 7-foot-3 centre never met up with his Ignite teammates in the bubble at Walt Disney World near Orlando, Florida. Now it has been confirmed that he has left the programme by mutual consent.