By MARK REY MONTEJO
The Los Angeles Lakers assistant coach Phil Handy is convinced Filipino 7-foot-3 center Kai Sotto is destined to become an NBA player.
Having seen the former Ateneo star grow as a player, especially during his stint in Australia’s National Basketball League, Handy has nothing but praise for Sotto who is currently in Los Angeles waiting for a call to play in the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas.
“I believe he’s very talented. I don’t believe in putting timelines on athletes. I’ve had a chance to see him play for a couple of years. He spent some time down in Australia, and that really helped develop his game,” said Handy who helped steer the LA Lakers to three NBA championships.
Handy, for sure, knows whereof he speaks, being the player development coach of the Lakers – reason why Kobe Bryant and LeBron James have sustained their sterling careers. Being a naturally gifted player, Sotto’s time to shine in the biggest basketball league, according to Handy, may happen anytime.
“It could be this summer, it could be next year. It really just depends on the opportunity,” said Handy, who ended his career as an import in the NBL.
“Sometimes, players’ opportunities come at different times.” His advice for Sotto is very simple – keep working, keep playing, and keep being ready for the opportunity.
The 6-foot-5 former Golden State Warriors guard is in the Philippines for a two-week stay to share his knowledge with elite local school teams, including the Converge FiberXers of the Philippines Basketball Association.
On Tuesday, he launched his Philippine tour with a clinic at the Philippine National Police Academy in Cavite. After the Manila visit, the Phil Handy Tour, being organized by CST Accountants and Advisors, goes to Singapore.
When asked about his take on the NBA champions Denver Nuggets, Handy said: They’re a very good team. “They played really well together. Jamal Murray and (Nikola) Jokic, those guys are really good and the role players, Aaron Gordon, KCP, Bruce Brown, and Michael Porter Jr. Their unit was just a really good unit and that’s what it takes to win a championship” Handy said.
