Kai Sotto and Jordan Clarkson: chances of Filipino stars in NBA
Two of the most famous Filipino basketball players, Jordan Clarkson and Kai Sotto, hold great interest for millions of fans. These two athletes are at different stages of their careers, and today we will discuss their prospects.
Jordan Clarkson: setting bar
Jordan Clarkson, whose father is American and mother is Filipino, has long proven his worth at the NBA level. Since being drafted in 2014, he has established himself as a reliable scorer and a top player. In 2021, Clarkson won the NBA Sixth Man of the Year award, a significant achievement that continues to inspire young Filipino basketball players.
In the new season, Clarkson gets an opportunity to make an even louder statement. The 33-year-old guard has signed an agreement with the famous New York Knicks. Clarkson joins the team as a free agent, having agreed to a buyout of his contract with Utah, which was due to pay him $14.6 million for the upcoming season. However, both sides decided that the Jazz would focus on young players, and Clarkson would find a squad where his talent could contribute to addressing high-profile issues. Legal, as well as the 1xBet Philippines legit status.
The Knicks are making their first Eastern Conference Finals appearance since 1999 in 2025 and are looking to build on that success. Clarkson’s experience, consistency, and versatility should help them do just that. He’s not a superstar on the level of Luka Doncic or Stephen Curry, but he’s a proven master and role model.
Kai Sotto: hope of new generation
Kai Sotto is another name that the whole country is following with hope. Standing at 7 feet 3 inches tall, with decent coordination and the ability to shoot from a distance, he is a unique athlete not only for the Philippines but also for world basketball. He has already played in Australia and Japan, even making it to the Orlando Magic roster in the NBA Summer League. Although he has yet to break into the NBA’s main rotation, it’s worth noting that Kai is only 23 years old.
The development of “big” athletes takes time. Kai has all the necessary qualities: height, a good understanding of the game, hard work, and, most importantly, the support of the entire nation. At the same time, he needs even more experience in major tournaments, especially against athletic and aggressive big men from the NBA or Euroleague. And, of course, health, as he missed almost all of 2025 due to an ACL injury in January.
In the next two or three years, the key question will be: can the current Koshigaya Alphas player develop his physical skills to reach the NBA level? Technically, Kai is not far from Kristaps Porziņģis, whom he considers his role model. If he comes back from injury highly motivated, he could receive a new invitation to at least Summer League games.
Future perspectives
Jordan Clarkson proved that a Filipino can not only be part of the NBA but also play a crucial role there. He has become an inspiring example. Kai Sotto is someone who offers great hope for the future. The 1xBet ambassador has already accomplished what many can only dream of: he has been noticed by NBA scouts, trained with the best, and played on the international level. Now it’s time for the next step.
It is essential to remember that the path to the NBA is a marathon, not a sprint. Each new season is a chance. As long as Kai has not given up and Jordan continues to shine, Philippine basketball has a bright future.
