{"id":826442,"date":"2026-09-02T17:03:49","date_gmt":"2026-09-02T17:03:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/826442\/"},"modified":"2026-09-02T17:03:49","modified_gmt":"2026-09-02T17:03:49","slug":"kai-sotto-linked-to-potential-miami-heat-opportunity-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/826442\/","title":{"rendered":"Kai Sotto linked to potential Miami Heat opportunity"},"content":{"rendered":"

Philippines head coach Tim Cone told Kai Sotto he would talk to the Miami Heat about a possible NBA opportunity after the Gilas Pilipinas center posted another big double-double in the 2027 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers.<\/p>\n

Gilas Pilipinas coach Tim Cone was caught on FIBA’s livestream<\/a> telling Kai Sotto that he would speak with the Miami Heat about a possible NBA opportunity.<\/p>\n


\n \"Kai
\n <\/a><\/p>\n

\n Position
\n C\n <\/p>\n

\n Age
\n 24\n <\/p>\n

\n Height
\n 221 cm\n <\/p>\n

\n Weight
\n 105 kg\n <\/p>\n

\n Birth place
\n Las Pi\u00f1as, Philippines\n <\/p>\n

The conversation took place before the postgame press conference following the Philippines’ win over Iran on Sunday.<\/p>\n

Cone told Sotto that he still believes the 7-foot-3 center has what it takes to make it into the NBA.<\/p>\n

“I still think you need to get in the league. Find a way. I’ll talk to Miami. See what I can do? Would you be willing?”<\/p>\n

Sotto nodded in response.<\/p>\n

Tim Cone has Miami Heat connection <\/p>\n

Cone has a prior connection with the Heat organization.<\/p>\n

He previously served on Miami’s coaching staff as a guest assistant for the 2022 NBA Summer League.<\/p>\n

In addition, he is also a longtime friend of Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra.<\/p>\n

Kai Sotto shines in Gilas return <\/p>\n

The conversation came on the heels of another standout performance from Sotto.<\/p>\n

During Gilas Pilipinas’ 68-56 victory over Iran<\/a> in the 2027 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers, Sotto recorded 13 points, 16 rebounds, and three assists, finishing with a 22 efficiency rating.<\/p>\n

It was his second straight double-double since returning to the national team.<\/p>\n

Two days earlier, Sotto posted 18 points and 14 rebounds while delivering the game-saving block in an 82-81 overtime win against Jordan<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Sotto is currently a free agent <\/p>\n

Sotto is currently without a club. His contract with Japan’s Koshigaya Alphas expired after the 2025-26 season.<\/p>\n

The team placed him on the B.League free-agent list in May.<\/p>\n

Sotto averaged 13.1 points, 9.4 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and shot 52.0 percent from the field across 28 games for Koshigaya last season.<\/p>\n

The 24-year-old previously played for NBA G League Ignite, the Adelaide 36ers, the Hiroshima Dragonflies, and the Yokohama B-Corsairs before joining Koshigaya.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\"\"\/<\/p>\n

\u00a1Gracias por leernos! Ay\u00fadanos a\u00fan m\u00e1s.<\/p>\n

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