With the 2022 NBA Draft approaching, the New York Knicks have begun to take closer looks at some prospects, including the towering seven-foot-three Kai Sotto from the Philippines.
Sotto, who recently turned 20-years-old, played for the Adelaide 36ers in the Australian NBL and will be working out for the Knicks this week.
These workouts will be important for overseas prospects like Sotto, who likely hasn’t had excessive face time with NBA scouts over the past year. For New York, Sotto brings an interesting skill set and ceiling as a prospect.
Why the New York Knicks should want Kai Sotto
Where Sotto will go in the draft is a complete mystery. You could say that for most draft prospects, but a player like Sotto’s stock appears particularly volatile, as there have been projections anywhere from a late first-round pick to going undrafted.
The Knicks aren’t the only team trying to get a read on the uniquely talented big man. Sotto will reportedly workout for almost half the league — a dozen different teams.
His size, intangibles, and potential as a shooter make for a very intriguing NBA prospect. Sotto’s a “stretch-5” archetype of big man that New York currently doesn’t have on its roster.
While there haven’t been any proven smash-hits among the second-round selections that the Leon Rose-led front office has made, there is certainly already a lot of promise from their second-round picks in last year’s draft.
Both Deuce McBride and Jericho Sims showed a lot of exciting potential in their appearances last season. Rokas Jokubaitis has taken major strides in his game with FC Barcelona this year and already looks to be a second-round steal.
What’s enticing about Sotto is his size paired with his mobility. He’s a prospect who could have a high ceiling, but will need a ton of work and refinement in his game to be an impact player in the NBA. That tends to be the case with a lot of big-men prospects.
Sotto is looking to be the first Filipino-born player in NBA history. He already carries a massive fanbase from his native country and is looking to make history.
Given the Knicks’ uncertain future in the frontcourt, Sotto could be a great long-term project. New York will get a closer look at him today.
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