Everything was falling into place for Kai Sotto. He was excelling in the Japan B.League. He was doing great guns for Gilas Pilipinas. He was showing the world what the Kaiju could really do.
He was taking huge leaps forward in his ultimate dream of making the NBA.
Now, fate just pushed the young man several big steps backward.
On Monday, Sotto suffered what looked like a serious knee injury in the Koshigaya Alphas’ 79-77 loss to the Mikawa Sea Horses. The 7-foot-3 Gilas mainstay was making a move at the paint when his left leg completely buckled, twisting his left knee and leaving the big man crumpled to the floor in obvious pain.
With the awkward angle in which Sotto’s left knee gave way, the injury looked like a possible ACL tear.
Sotto Confirms Torn ACL
On Wednesday, Sotto confirmed the ACL injury in a heartbreaking Instragram post.
“The worst way to start the year, might be the darkest day of my basketball career, when I was told I tore my ACL,” wrote Sotto, his pain palpable in his words. “Tough to let this one sink in. I appreciate all the love and support everyone has given me these past few days. I know God has a better plan for me and we just have to keep going.”
It is a tough setback no doubt for the amiable big man, especially now that he is starting to fulfill his immense potential. ACL tears require surgery to get fixed and typically will take six to eight months of recovery—maybe more. Notable basketball players who have suffered the same injury include NBA players Zach Lavine of the Chicago Bulls and Jamal Murray of the Denver Nuggets.
Sotto is naturally crestfallen, but it appears he is keeping the faith and looking forward to getting back on track.
The Kaiju is wounded for now. Best believe he will come back better than ever—no matter how long it takes.
