On Thursday,March 2th, 2023 , a press conference was held at the Hiroshima Dragonflies club office for #11 Kaisot.
 

Speakers

・Shuji Okazaki, Hiroshima Dragonflies General Manager
・#11 Kai Sotto
 

Greeting from Shuji Okazaki, Hiroshima Dragonflies General Manager

Thank you so much for coming up. We are glad that we are having Kai Sotto here. I am going to explain how we got a contract with him. Thank you so much.

Greeting from Kai Sotto

Hi guys. I’m Kai Sotto from the Hiroshima Dragonflies. Thank you everyone and I am happy to be here.
 

Background of Kai’s joining from Okazaki GM

From the start of the season, we were unable to make the best use of the advantages that we had assumed with the players in the special Asian quota, and we had many difficult moments as a team. Specifically, it will be a rebound. The problem for the team was that the number of times the opponent took an offensive rebound was very high. It was a situation that I was looking for a player to improve that part.

We contacted Kai Sotto fairly early on, and we signed a contract with him just as the Australian league (NBL) ended in February. As you all know, he is tall, a player with very high shot blocking and rebounding abilities. Moreover, he is not only a good goal scorer but also a team player. Specifically, I can make passes that make the most of my teammates, so I think it suits the current style of the team. Also, I think that rebounding, which was an issue for us, can be greatly improved by changing the rotation of players in defense. I think he will play a very important role in the second half of the game.

We also want to guide his own growth. Specifically, by creating a solid practice environment from both soft and hard aspects, I want to support them so that they can produce results on the court.

Moreover, Kai Sotto is one of the most famous and popular athletes in the Philippines. I would like to spread more messages by using that influence and working together with him. I want to raise the value of the club with his influence.

Lastly, I think the addition of Kai Sotto will be a really big step, and in terms of the composition of the team, I think his addition will be the last move of the season. At the beginning of this season, I told everyone that we wanted to win the championship as soon as possible. We would like to once again show that determination and do my best to win the championship.
 

Q&A session with Okazaki GM

-You said that you were approaching from an early stage, but when exactly did you start?
Negotiations started in November or December. The contact itself has been going from an early stage, since last season.

- What do you think is the appeal of Kai Sotto, GM Okazaki?

I feel that he is a player who believes very much in his own potential. Also, being a team player fits the style of the team very well, and I think he will grow as a piece that we lacked. And I feel that it will also lead to a step up for the team.

-Specifically, what kind of message will you send as an international city Hiroshima with Kai Sotto?

Once again, we would like to send a message of "peace". With the idea that sport is only possible because there is peace, the players play and the clubs run. I would be happy if this kind of message could be delivered to more people.
 

-What are your hopes and potential for growth as a 20-year-old player?

At age of 20, I feel he still has room to grow. I don't think it's easy for a 20-year-old to be able to communicate this well and fit in with the team right away. In terms of playing, of course, I think he will grow in team sports, too.
 

-This season, you are aiming for a running basket. While there are high expectations for Kai Sotto's height and rebounding, do you think he can adapt the quickness easily?

We also evaluate his quickness very highly. He can adapt to transitions, and has mobility. Especially in the half-court basket, there is a momentary move from the pick-and-roll to the dive, where he agilely moves toward the goal and makes use of the upper space to dunk. I expect that we will be able to score more goals by playing in such a space that we have not been able to use before.
 

-Joining in the middle of the season might be risky. What about the benefits?

We thought it would be difficult, too. Therefore, I was making an offer to have him come as soon as possible. The B-LEAGUE is currently in a bye week for about a month, so this period was a big preparation period for both the club and the team. Even with the lineup without Kai Sotto so far, we have been able to make some results, and we believe that adding new options to that will bring more change to the team, so I think there are only advantages for us.
 

-What do you think about the timing of joining Kai Sotto?

If he joined this team when matches continued, he had to memorize the team's rules and make adjustments while playing. Considering that situation, I think he was able to join at the best timing.
 

-Okazaki GM, you are in the  ninth year since the club was founded. How do you candidly perceive the fact that the club has now become a club that receives media coverage from Asia?

There is something very moving. When I was active, the number of the attendance was about 300 to 400, and the club did not attract attention even in Hiroshima. I feel that we are one step closer to becoming a club that attracts the attention of the world.
 

Q&A session with Kai Sotto

-What is the biggest reason why you chose Hiroshima?

Towards the end of my NBL season, I talked to my agents. I said the season will end early, so I wanted to keep playing at a competitive stage, competitive level. I was familiar with the B-LEAGUE because a lot of my friends, a lot of my teammates from the national team also play here. Right after the season my agents told me the Hiroshima Dragonflies would be a good team for me to play in, so I was very excited. I was really looking forward to coming here. 

And when I arrived here and saw my teammates and the coaches, I felt really comfortable and was really happy to meet everybody. And the chemistry was good. And I’m happy that I can play competitive basketball and I can help my team win. I just want to contribute what I can to help this team win more, and make it to the finals and win the championship.
 

-What type of team do you think the Hiroshima Dragonflies is?

This team is really good. As I said the chemistry is good, and when I first came to practice, I heard a lot of swishes. So I know that this team can shoot. The coach was emphasizing the offense was good in practices and games, but we have to continue working on our defense and rebounding. I think that's a good time for me to step in and I will try my best to contribute in that area. Regarding defense, I have started to show my teammates that they can have the confidence to rely on me when I'm on court and could help them with my shot blocking abilities and rebounding. That's one of the areas that I have to improve on and this is a good challenge for me to help this team in the area.
 

-What is your strength?

Regarding offense, my strength is that I can be a threat on the post and can do pretty much whatever my coach needs me to be, like pass, shoot, set screens.Regarding defense, I have to work on defending guards after the switches in the paint. Rebounding will be a key factor for me. There are also a lot of big players all throughout this league, so it's gonna be a good challenge for me and my team. So I'm really looking forward to playing games.
 

- How do you adapt yourself to  the team, which emphasizes quickness and speediness?

When I first came to practice, I was surprised that the Japanese guys were quick and fast. I have to find a way so I can catch up to them. Playing fast is good because it creates more opportunities in offense. For the other members, when you play fast, everybody moves around and these guys can share the ball. That's what I love about this team so far.

There's not much egos. The members just want to share the ball, and want to play good basketball. This is going to be exciting. I just can't wait to play these next games with these guys.
 

 -What do you think about “team basketball”?
When I joined the practice, the environment was good. I could tell these guys enjoy playing basketball with each other. I was just happy to be here. The coaches and my teammates let me do whatever I want to and I can, let me be who I am playing, how I play. So it's gonna be good. This team will only get better. And this team is already good and I just want to help this team, and to make it to the next level, which is the championship. We still have two months before the championship, but I'm already excited to play in this team and to win more games.
 

-What do you want to be called from fans?

I've been called “Kai”. Actually, when I was in high school, some fans called me “Kaiju”. It's one of my big nicknames.
 

-In the Philippines, were you called “Kaiju” in Japanese?

Yes, some fans in my high school put up posters of “Kaiju” with a big mouth. Since then, “Kaiju” has been a part of me.
 

- How did you feel about the nickname?

It was good. I learned kaiju when I watched the movie “Pacific Rim”, in which big robots and kaiju were fighting. After that, when they called me “Kaiju”, I knew exactly what Kaiju is, and I was like “OK, I'll take that. Sounds cool”.
 

- Have you tried Japanese food so far?

Ever since I was little in the Philippines, Japanese food has been familiar. Wherever I go, Japanese food is there. I have eaten Japanese food, so when I came here, it was easy to get used to. I'm not a picky eater, but I've loved Japanese food ever since.
 

- What kind of food have you eaten since you came here?

I ate everything, like katsudon, pork, chicken, karaage, ramen, udon, sushi.

In Hiroshima, okonomiyaki is pretty good. Have you tried?

I heard about it. I can't wait to try it.
 

-Any spots that you want to go to in Japan?

Tokyo is probably the most famous place in Japan, so I am looking forward to going there if we are going. But I love traveling and this is my first time coming to Japan, so in every road game, every road trip, I will enjoy every moment and experience in other places in Japan, too.
 

-Any places you want to go in Hiroshima?

This is my first time coming to Hiroshima, so I don't really know much about it. Everything is new for me. Hiroshima is a good place and I just can't wait to see the whole area.

-You are 220cm tall. Are there any difficulties living in Japan?

On my first day, I was surprised that everything in Japan was small, like the doorways,the bathroom.  They told me, “Kai, you're just tall.” and I was like “Maybe you're right.” 

-Have you been tall since you were a kid?

Yes, I was the tallest in my class. My dad was a professional basketball player. He was  6.7 feet, and my mom was 6 feet. And I am 7.3 feet. I've been tall ever since, so I'm kind of used to being the tallest guy.
 

-How do you want to improve your basketball skills through the experience here in Hiroshima?

I just want to keep on improving in all the aspects in offense, defense, even off the court. I need to get stronger and faster. I just want to keep on playing, keep on getting better. I think this team will really help me improve and develop. These next three months will be crucial for me. I just want to keep on getting better every day. And everybody in the team, my teammates, my coaches, the staff, they're really helped me get better each day. They help me work out before and after practice, strength work, and shooting. That gives me confidence. These guys are willing to help me get better and I'm willing to help this team win.
 

-How do you want to control this team to go to the championship?

Regarging offense, I can pretty much do whatever my coach wants me to do. Regarding defense, the team can reliably protect the rim and bring intensity. But I will do everything that I can do. I'll try my best to help this team win.  I've already seen, and heard that this team is a really good team and I just want to make it a little better. Now that I'm here. Just have an extra guy, which is me, to help my team and whatever I could do. So I'm just here to get better myself and to help his team win, as I always say.
 

-How is your condition before your first match with Ryukyu on March 8?

I just can’t wait.The team we are going to be playing against on March 8th is a good team. I know Carl Tamayo is there. It's gonna be my first game in the B-LEAGUE, so it's good to see him, because in high school we were kind of rivals in high school and we're both professionals at a young age and it's just a good feeling. 

I've heard Ryukyu is a good team,so I just can’t wait for this good challenge for us, especially for me, for my first game and how I can contribute and help his team. I can't wait. I’m already. I've been excited ever since I stepped into this country.
 

-It was impressive that you talked to not only foreign players but also Japanese players. Are you good at adjusting to a new emvironment?

It depends on the team. This team has a really good culture, good environment. I already have good chemistry, so I feel it's easy for me to step in and focus on my play. And the coach, staff and players are really nice and it's fun to be with them during practice, so it's easy for me to adjust to this team because everybody's willing to help each other so it's a good environment.
 

-What kind of things did you hear about the B.LEAGUE from other Philippine players?

They told me that this league is really competitive and I will be against foreign players.Tthey're important in every game. They said it's gonna be a good challenge for me. I just saw how the Filipino players play well and enjoy having a good experience in this league, so I wanted to have the same experience. It's gonna be a good opportunity for me to enjoy basketball and learn new things.
 

-How do you think playing in the B.LEAGUE will influence young players in the Philippines?

That's one of the biggest reasons why I play basketball is to be an inspiration for the younger generation. And I am the first Filipino that played in the NBL, and maybe one of the guys that's gonna play here, the B-LEAGUE too, so. I'm just, I just wanna be a good example for the younger kids in the Philippines. All these guys think “if Kai can make it, “I can make it too.” I just want to give them confidence that if they just keep working they could reach far places they could get to the highest level, and they could go wherever they want to go if they just keep on working and they just keep believing in themselves.