Kai Sotto is a Filipino professional basketball player who has become one of the most recognizable young basketball stars in the Philippines. Standing at 7 feet 3 inches, the towering center has built his professional career across Australia and Japan while representing the Philippines internationally.
Born in Las Piñas, Philippines, Sotto began playing basketball at the age of four and quickly emerged as one of the country’s most promising young players. His performances with the Ateneo Blue Eaglets made him a national prospect before he moved to the United States to pursue a professional basketball career.
In 2026, Sotto’s personal and professional life entered a new chapter. He married actress Rere Madrid in May 2026 and is expecting his first child. On the basketball court, he returned to the Gilas Pilipinas lineup after nearly two years away and immediately produced dominant performances in the FIBA World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers, renewing discussion about his NBA ambitions.
Kai Sotto Profile Summary
| Category | Details |
| Full Name | Kai Zachary Perlado Sotto |
| Date of Birth | May 11, 2002 |
| Age | 24 years old |
| Birthplace | Las Piñas, Philippines |
| Nationality | Filipino |
| Profession | Professional Basketball Player |
| Position | Center |
| Height | 7 ft 3 in (2.21 m) |
| Weight | Approximately 232 lb (105 kg) |
| Current League | Japanese B.League |
| Current Club | Koshigaya Alphas |
| National Team | Philippines (Gilas Pilipinas) |
| Father | Ervin Sotto |
| Mother | Pamela Perlado Sotto |
| Wife | Rere Madrid |
| Marriage | May 2026 |
| Children | First child expected |
| NBA Draft | 2022, undrafted |
| Nickname | Kaiju |
| Known For | Philippine national team and international professional basketball |
| Religion | Not reliably publicly documented |
| Net Worth | Not publicly disclosed |
Kai Sotto Early Life
Kai Zachary Perlado Sotto was born on May 11, 2002, in Las Piñas, Philippines, to former professional basketball player Ervin Sotto and Pamela Perlado Sotto. Basketball was already part of his family environment because his father had played in the Philippine Basketball Association. Kai began playing basketball when he was only four years old.
As a young player, Sotto quickly attracted attention because of his extraordinary height and natural basketball ability. He grew up admiring players including Tim Duncan, June Mar Fajardo and Kristaps Porziņģis. His combination of size, coordination and skill made him one of the most closely watched young prospects in Philippine basketball.
Sotto eventually developed through the Ateneo basketball system, where his performances made him a national sensation. His success at the youth level convinced him to pursue opportunities outside the Philippines, ultimately taking him to the United States and later into professional basketball overseas.
Kai Sotto Education
Sotto began his primary education at Saint Francis of Assisi College. He later attended Ateneo de Manila High School in Quezon City, where he joined the Ateneo Blue Eaglets basketball program.
At Ateneo, his basketball development accelerated dramatically. During the 2017–18 UAAP season, he helped the Blue Eaglets win the juniors’ championship and was named Finals MVP after averaging 17 points, 13 rebounds and 6.3 blocks during the three-game finals series.
In 2019, Sotto moved to the United States to further develop his basketball career. He continued his studies at the Miami School in Hamilton, Ohio, while also training and participating in basketball programs. He graduated from the Miami School in April 2021.
Kai Sotto Career
Kai Sotto’s professional career has taken him through several basketball systems, including the NBA G League pathway, Australia’s National Basketball League and Japan’s B.League. His long-term ambition has consistently been to reach the NBA.
Kai Sotto’s High School Basketball Career
Sotto joined Ateneo de Manila High School’s Blue Eaglets in 2016. Even as a teenager, his height made him an exceptional defensive presence.
During UAAP Season 79, he was named Rookie of the Year after helping Ateneo reach the Final Four. The following season, he led the Eaglets to the championship and earned Finals MVP honours.
In his final UAAP season, Sotto averaged 25.1 points, 13.9 rebounds and 2.6 blocks per game. He won the season MVP award and was selected to the Mythical Team.
Kai Sotto and the NBA G League Ignite
In 2020, Sotto signed with the NBA G League Ignite, a developmental program created to provide young prospects with an alternative pathway toward professional basketball.
However, complications caused by the COVID-19 pandemic affected his participation. Sotto also chose to represent the Philippines in the 2021 FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers. Because of travel and logistical issues, he ultimately left the Ignite program by mutual agreement.
Although his time with the program was brief, joining Ignite demonstrated the level of international attention surrounding the young Filipino center.
Kai Sotto with the Adelaide 36ers
In April 2021, Sotto signed with the Adelaide 36ers of Australia’s National Basketball League. He made his professional debut in December 2021.
During his first NBL season, he averaged 7.5 points and 4.5 rebounds per game while playing approximately 15 minutes per contest. His performances earned him recognition from Australian basketball fans, and he was voted NBL Fans MVP.
He returned to Adelaide for the 2022–23 season, averaging 6.8 points and 4.5 rebounds per game.
Kai Sotto and the 2022 NBA Draft
Sotto declared for the 2022 NBA Draft after his first professional season in Australia. Despite his size, international experience and significant following, he went undrafted.
Going undrafted did not end his NBA ambitions. Instead, Sotto continued developing his game overseas while maintaining his goal of eventually reaching the world’s most prestigious basketball league.
Kai Sotto in Japan’s B.League
In 2023, Sotto joined the Hiroshima Dragonflies of Japan’s B.League. He recorded his first B.League double-double in March 2023, producing 21 points and 12 rebounds.
He later spent time with the Yokohama B-Corsairs before joining the Koshigaya Alphas. His performances in Japan helped him become more comfortable playing significant minutes against experienced professional opponents.
During the 2024–25 season with Koshigaya, Sotto averaged approximately 13.8 points and 9.5 rebounds per game in the available league statistics, demonstrating his development as a more productive offensive and rebounding presence.
Kai Sotto and Gilas Pilipinas
Sotto has represented the Philippines at both youth and senior international levels. He participated in the FIBA Under-17 and Under-19 Basketball World Cups before becoming part of the senior national team.
He was part of the Philippines squad at the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup, which was hosted partly in the Philippines.
After nearly two years away from the Gilas Pilipinas program, Sotto returned to the national team in August 2026 for crucial FIBA World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers games against Jordan and Iran.
His return was spectacular. He recorded 18 points and 14 rebounds in an overtime victory over Jordan, then followed it with another double-double as the Philippines defeated Iran 68–56. FIBA described his return as one of the most dominant qualifying windows of his international career.
Kai Sotto and the NBA Dream in 2026
The NBA remains one of Sotto’s major career ambitions. His strong performances for Gilas Pilipinas in August 2026 renewed interest in his NBA prospects.
Gilas coach Tim Cone publicly encouraged Sotto to continue chasing the NBA dream and was heard discussing the possibility of speaking with the Miami Heat about a potential opportunity for the Filipino center.
Sotto has not yet signed with an NBA team, so reports connecting him with the Miami Heat should be understood as potential interest rather than a confirmed NBA contract.
Kai Sotto Trending: Why Is Kai Sotto Famous?
Kai Sotto is currently trending because of his spectacular return to Gilas Pilipinas in the 2027 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers. After almost two years away from the national team, he returned in August 2026 and immediately became one of the team’s most important players.
His 18-point, 14-rebound performance against Jordan helped the Philippines secure an 82–81 overtime victory. He then produced another dominant double-double in the Philippines’ 68–56 victory over Iran.
Sotto is also receiving attention because he is now married to actress Rere Madrid and the couple is expecting their first child. They married in a garden ceremony in Alfonso, Cavite, in May 2026.
The combination of his national-team resurgence, NBA ambitions and new family life has made 2026 one of the most significant years of Sotto’s career.
Kai Sotto Personal Life
Kai Sotto married Filipino actress Rere Madrid in May 2026. The couple had made their relationship public in 2024 before eventually getting married in a private garden wedding attended by family members and close friends.
In August 2026, Sotto confirmed that he and Rere were expecting a baby boy. He has spoken about fatherhood as an additional source of motivation as he returned to represent the Philippines in the FIBA World Cup qualifiers.
Sotto comes from a basketball family. His father, Ervin Sotto, was a professional PBA player, while his godfather, Ranidel de Ocampo, is also a former professional basketball player. His family background has therefore played an important role in his development and connection to Philippine basketball.
Kai Sotto Age, Religion, Nationality, Height and Physical Appearance
Kai Sotto was born on May 11, 2002, making him 24 years old as of September 2026. He was born in Las Piñas, Philippines, and is Filipino by nationality.
His personal religious beliefs have not been reliably documented in major public sources, so a specific religion should not be attributed to him without stronger evidence.
Sotto is officially listed at 7 feet 3 inches (2.21 metres) and approximately 232 pounds (105 kilograms). His extraordinary height makes him one of the tallest Filipino professional basketball players and gives him a major advantage around the basket, particularly as a rebounder and shot blocker.
Kai Sotto Net Worth
Kai Sotto’s exact net worth has not been publicly disclosed. His earnings have come primarily from professional basketball contracts in Australia and Japan, along with potential sponsorship and endorsement opportunities.
His financial profile is expected to grow as his international visibility increases. His return to the Philippines national team, growing popularity and continued pursuit of an NBA opportunity could significantly affect his future earning potential.
However, widely circulated internet estimates of his net worth should not be treated as confirmed figures because his contracts, endorsements, investments and other financial details are not publicly available in sufficient detail.
Kai Sotto Legacy
Kai Sotto has already become one of the most important young figures in Philippine basketball. His unusual height, international career and decision to pursue professional opportunities abroad have made him a source of enormous interest among Filipino basketball fans.
His career is also significant because he represents one of the Philippines’ strongest modern attempts to produce an NBA-level big man. Although he went undrafted in 2022, his continued development in Australia and Japan has allowed him to gain valuable professional experience.
At only 24, Sotto’s story is still being written. His performances for Gilas Pilipinas in 2026 and renewed NBA interest suggest that his biggest achievements may still lie ahead, while his marriage and impending fatherhood mark an important new chapter in his personal life.
Conclusion
Kai Sotto is one of the Philippines’ most prominent basketball players and one of the country’s biggest hopes for NBA success. From dominating youth basketball at Ateneo to playing professionally in Australia and Japan and becoming a key figure for Gilas Pilipinas, he has built an international career despite going undrafted in 2022. His spectacular return to the national team in 2026, continued NBA ambitions, marriage to Rere Madrid and impending fatherhood have made him one of the most talked-about Filipino athletes of the year.
Frequently Asked Questions About Kai Sotto
Who is Kai Sotto?
Kai Sotto is a Filipino professional basketball player who plays center and represents the Philippines national team.
How old is Kai Sotto?
Kai Sotto is 24 years old as of September 2026.
When was Kai Sotto born?
Kai Sotto was born on May 11, 2002, in Las Piñas, Philippines.
How tall is Kai Sotto?
Kai Sotto is officially listed at 7 feet 3 inches (2.21 metres) tall.
Who is Kai Sotto’s wife?
Kai Sotto’s wife is Filipino actress Rere Madrid. They married in May 2026.
Is Kai Sotto going to have a baby?
Yes. Kai Sotto and Rere Madrid are expecting their first child, a baby boy.
Who are Kai Sotto’s parents?
Kai Sotto’s parents are former professional basketball player Ervin Sotto and Pamela Perlado Sotto.
What team does Kai Sotto play for?
Kai Sotto plays professional basketball in Japan’s B.League. He has been associated with the Koshigaya Alphas.
Has Kai Sotto played in the NBA?
No. Kai Sotto has not played in an NBA regular-season game. He went undrafted in the 2022 NBA Draft.
Was Kai Sotto drafted into the NBA?
No. Kai Sotto declared for the 2022 NBA Draft but was not selected.
Does Kai Sotto still want to play in the NBA?
Yes. Reaching the NBA remains one of Kai Sotto’s major professional ambitions, and renewed interest followed his strong performances for Gilas Pilipinas in 2026.
What is Kai Sotto’s nickname?
Kai Sotto is popularly nicknamed “Kaiju.”
Why is Kai Sotto famous?
Kai Sotto is famous for his 7-foot-3 height, professional basketball career overseas, his role with Gilas Pilipinas and his pursuit of an NBA career.
What happened to Kai Sotto in 2026?
In 2026, Kai Sotto married Rere Madrid, announced that they were expecting their first child and returned to Gilas Pilipinas after nearly two years away. He then produced outstanding performances in the FIBA World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers.
How many points did Kai Sotto score against Jordan in 2026?
Kai Sotto scored 18 points and grabbed 14 rebounds as the Philippines defeated Jordan 82–81 in overtime in the 2027 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers.
What is Kai Sotto’s religion?
Kai Sotto’s specific religious beliefs have not been reliably documented publicly.
What is Kai Sotto’s net worth?
Kai Sotto’s exact net worth is not publicly known. His income comes primarily from professional basketball and potentially from endorsements and other commercial opportunities.