Filipino basketball player Kai Sotto signed a contract extension with the Japanese basketball team Hiroshima Dragonflies.
"I am so grateful to the club for giving me this opportunity, and I am happy to have the chance to play in Japan next season," Sotto said in a statement posted on the website of the Dragonflies.
However, Sotto said that he still targets to play in the NBA.
"The NBA is my biggest dream, so I will continue to work hard in the United States this summer. To all the Dragonflies fans, I know there may be some irregularities next season, but I will do my best in the given environment so that I can give you good news," Sotto stressed.
Dragonflies General Manager Shuji Okazaki confirmed that Sotto has the blessing of the team to join an NBA squad after the summer.
"Kai has an option to sign with an NBA team. So if he signs with an NBA team this summer, there is a possibility that his contract with Hiroshima will be canceled," Okazaki said.
Sotto averaged 9.2 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks in the 23 games that he played in his first season with the Dragonflies in the B.League of Japan.
Prior to bringing his act to Japan, the 21-year-old Filipino played with the Australian squad Adelaide 36ers for three years after going undrafted in the 2022 NBA Draft.
Reports state that Sotto will join the mini-camp of the NBA team Utah Jazz from May 30 to 31, and he will also play in the NBA Summer League in July.
