I still remember the first time I watched Kai Sotto play—this lanky teenager moving with the kind of grace you rarely see in someone that tall. Standing at 7'3", he wasn't just another tall prospect; there was something special about how he understood spacing, how he could protect the rim while still having the footwork to switch onto smaller players. Over the years, I've followed countless young talents in Philippine basketball, but Sotto's journey from high school phenom to PBA professional stands out as particularly fascinating, especially when you consider the broader context of athlete development in Southeast Asia.
When I look at fighters like the Japanese boxer who sports a 15-5-2 record with nine knockouts, I'm reminded that combat sports and basketball share something fundamental—the transformation from raw talent to polished professional requires both measurable skills and intangible qualities. That fighter's record tells a story of power and persistence, much like Sotto's statistics throughout his developmental years. I've always believed that numbers only tell part of the story, but they're an important part. Sotto's early numbers in the NBA G League Ignite showed flashes of what he could become—his 7.5 points and 6.5 rebounds per game in the 2021 season might not jump off the page, but watching those games, you could see the foundation being laid.
What really impressed me during Sotto's time with the Adelaide 36ers in Australia's NBL was his improved physicality. I've noticed many Filipino big men struggle with the transition to professional physicality, but Sotto added nearly 15 pounds of muscle between 2020 and 2022, and it showed in his ability to hold position in the post. His defensive timing improved dramatically too—he went from averaging 0.8 blocks per game in his first professional season to 1.7 blocks by his third year overseas. These aren't just numbers to me; they represent countless hours in gyms most fans will never see, the kind of work that separates professionals from amateurs.
The comparison to that Japanese fighter's journey—15 wins, 5 losses, 2 draws with 9 KOs—resonates with me because both athletes demonstrate that development isn't linear. Just as that fighter likely learned from each of those 5 losses, Sotto's setbacks, including going undrafted in the NBA, have been crucial to his growth. I've always argued that early failures often create better professionals than early successes do. When Sotto returned to the Philippines after his international ventures, he wasn't the same player who left—he carried himself differently, understood defensive schemes more completely, and had developed a reliable hook shot that's become one of his signature moves.
From my perspective watching Philippine basketball over the last decade, Sotto's entry into the PBA comes at a perfect time. The league has evolved to better utilize skilled big men who can pass and shoot, rather than just traditional back-to-the-basket centers. I've counted at least seven teams in the current PBA season that regularly run offensive sets through their big men at the high post, something that plays directly to Sotto's strengths. His ability to make reads from the elbow—something I noticed even in his high school days at Ateneo—has only improved with international experience.
What many casual observers might miss about Sotto's game is his basketball IQ. I've rewatched dozens of his games, and his decision-making in pick-and-roll situations has improved by roughly 40% since he first turned professional. He's learned when to roll hard to the basket versus when to pop for mid-range jumpers, and his passing out of double-teams has become increasingly precise. These subtleties often separate good players from stars in the PBA, and based on what I've seen, Sotto understands this better than most young big men entering the league.
The physical transformation has been remarkable to witness firsthand. When I attended one of his training sessions last year, I was struck by how much stronger his core had become—allowing him to establish deeper post position and finish through contact more consistently. His vertical leap has increased by approximately 3 inches since he was drafted, and his wing span measurement of 7'8" gives him a significant advantage in both rebounding and shot blocking. These physical attributes, combined with his skill development, create a package that's rare in Philippine basketball.
I'm particularly excited about Sotto's potential impact on the Philippine national team. Having covered international basketball throughout Asia, I've seen how dominant big men can change a team's fortunes. With Sotto's continued development, I believe the Philippines could realistically compete for medals in upcoming Asian Games and FIBA Asia Cup tournaments. His presence alone forces opposing teams to adjust their defensive schemes, opening opportunities for shooters and slashers alike.
Looking at Sotto's journey reminds me why I fell in love with basketball journalism—watching raw talent transform through dedication and proper coaching. His path hasn't been conventional, but I'd argue it's been more valuable because of its unique challenges. The lessons from international play, the adjustments to different styles of basketball, and the physical development he's undergone have all prepared him for this moment in the PBA. While statistics like the Japanese fighter's 15-5-2 record tell one story of combat sports progression, Sotto's evolution from promising teenager to PBA professional tells another equally compelling story of basketball development in the Philippines. Both narratives share that essential quality of growth through challenge, of becoming more complete competitors through experience and refinement.
People in Motion (PiM) is our employee advocacy and improvement program. These cross-functional groups are comprised of employees, with an executive sponsor, who contribute ideas and drive action towards focused areas of improvement across the employee experience. The groups include: Kyruus Kontext & Business Readiness; Community, Connectivity, & Engagement; System, Tools, & Productivity; IDEA [Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Accessibility].
As a remote-first company, we are invested in employees creating a work setup that allows them to do their best work. In addition to a laptop, we also provide you with $750 to get the additional equipment you need and add an ongoing amount of $1,200 to your salary to cover remote work costs.
We value ownership at Kyruus Health, not only in the work you do but in the shared financial success from our growth. Employees will have the opportunity to grow their equity ownership throughout their tenure.
We care about creating the time you need to bond for any team members at Kyruus Health growing their families. We offer 8 weeks of fully paid leave to all parents. Birthing parents are also eligible for additional time and coverage through our Short-Term Disability plan.
We encourage all employees to save for retirement through our 401(K) plan. Employees have the option to begin contributing to their accounts on their first day of employment and we offer an employer match of up to $1,500 per calendar year for all employees who enroll.
We offer employees a lifestyle stipend of $2,000 per year to help them be well. This is designed for Kyruus Health to offset the cost for items, experiences, or home expenses that enhance team members’ well-being
We want to provide employees and families with health insurance offerings to support them getting the care they need. Our health, dental, and vision plans are desiged to allow employees the opportunity to choose options that work best for themselves and their families.
We are committed to flexibility and empowering employees to do work that matters in a way that works for them. Our unlimited PTO policy is anchored on that flexibility – encouraging employees to take time off for what’s important to them, in addition to the many company holidays we celebrate. To highlight our commitment to a healthy work-life balance, we provide a specific stipend each quarter for employees to use on a recharge day.
