Report: Ignite prospect Sotto signs multi-year deal with Australian team

Filipino prospect Kai Sotto, who was under contract with the G League Ignite this past season, will sign a multi-year deal with the Adelaide 36ers of Australia's National Basketball League, sources told The Athletic's Shams Charania.

Sotto, who was the first international prospect to sign with the Ignite, will be eligible for the NBA draft in 2022, Charania notes.

Previously a four-star recruit, the 7-foot-2 Sotto bypassed college to play for the Ignite in their inaugural season. However, after he committed to play for the senior Philippines national team at the 2021 FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers in Qatar, Sotto and the Ignite decided he wouldn't rejoin the team due to logistical difficulties surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic.

As a result, Sotto didn't appear in a game with the Ignite. He also wasn't able to make his debut with the Philippines' senior team as the event was postponed.

The 18-year-old big has represented the Philippines at multiple international youth competitions. He averaged 11.7 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 3.1 blocks at the 2019 FIBA U19 Cup in Greece as the Philippines finished 14th.