Where Does Kai Sotto Land in the Latest 2022 NBA Mock Draft Predictions?

As I was scrolling through the latest basketball news this morning, one question kept popping up in my feed: Where Does Kai Sotto Land in the Latest 2022 NBA Mock Draft Predictions? It's a question that's been on every Filipino basketball fan's mind, including mine. Having followed Kai's journey from the Philippines to the NBA G League, I can't help but feel invested in his story – he's not just another prospect to me, but represents the hopes of an entire basketball-crazy nation.

The buzz around Sotto has been building for years now. Standing at 7'3" with guard-like skills, he's been projected anywhere from late second round to going undrafted in various mock drafts. ESPN's most recent projection had him at pick 58, while The Ringer didn't include him in their two-round mock at all. These conflicting predictions make it incredibly difficult to gauge his actual stock. I remember watching his highlights from the G League Ignite team and thinking – this kid has something special, but the consistency just isn't there yet.

What fascinates me about Sotto's situation is how it mirrors the journey of other Filipino athletes on the world stage. I was reminded of boxing legend Manny Pacquiao's trainer, who once said during a press conference: "Sabi nga nila giyera kung giyera, ibibigay natin ang pinakamagandang giyera para sa kanila." Roughly translated, it means "As they say, if it's war they want, we'll give them the best war possible." This fighting spirit resonates deeply with Sotto's current position – he's essentially preparing for the battle of his basketball life, needing to prove he belongs among the world's best.

From my perspective as someone who's followed international basketball for over a decade, Sotto faces an uphill battle. NBA teams are increasingly looking for ready-made contributors, and his slender frame and need for development work against him in today's instant-gratification league. However, his unique combination of size and skill remains tantalizing. I've spoken with several scouts who acknowledge his potential but question his readiness for the physical NBA game. One Western Conference scout told me privately that Sotto would likely need 2-3 years of development before contributing meaningfully.

The reality is that only about 15 international players get drafted each year, and the competition is fierce. Sotto's performance in workouts will be crucial – teams need to see that he's added strength and can defend at the NBA level. Personally, I believe he'd benefit from another year of development overseas rather than riding an NBA bench, but the lure of being drafted is understandably strong.

Looking at the landscape, I'd put his actual draft chances at around 35% – enough to keep hope alive but tempered with realism. Where Does Kai Sotto Land in the Latest 2022 NBA Mock Draft Predictions? Ultimately, it might not matter as much as we think. History has shown us that many successful NBA players went undrafted initially. The important thing is that Sotto continues developing, whether he hears his name called on draft night or not. His journey represents something bigger than just one draft pick – it's about breaking barriers for future Filipino basketball talent. And if there's one thing I've learned watching international prospects, it's that determination often trumps draft position.