The 18-year-old baller, who flew to Australia for his upcoming league, is still committed to the plans for his sports academy, Kaiju Global Academy.

Kaiju Global Academy is a recreational basketball training camp that is expected to rise in a 1.3 million-square-foot facility at Spooky Nook in Hamilton wherein it will cater athletes to provide “holistic development and leadership” with the help of trainers and coaches.

“Ang goal ko is to inspire the next generation lalo na sa mga kababayan kong Pilipino. ‘Yung gym na ‘yun, hindi malabong mangyari kapag tinuloy ko lang ‘yung pagtatrabaho ko. Keep on working hard, hindi magiging imposible na makamit natin ‘yun,” he said in a press conference.

Late last year, Kai Sotto announced that the academy will be erected at the former Champion paper mill in Hamilton, Ohio and is slated to open in 2021.

“It is a dream come true to mentor young athletes globally. Kaiju is the Japanese term for monster, beast, strange creature, and it perfectly captures the ideal basketball competitor that I aim to be,” Sotto said.

“The idea is that the Kaiju Academy teaches these young athletes to play ‘like a beast’ on the court and to be amazing men and women off the court,” he added.

With the main site still in progress, Kai Sotto shared that he is eyeing an expansion that would also serve his fellow Filipinos. 

“Yun talaga ‘yung dream, to have the same academy diyan sa Pilipinas at sa iba’t ibang bansa pa. Syempre priority ko sa US at sa Pilipinas,” he averred.

In addition, the 7-foot-3 Sotto is all thankful for the collaboration and opportunity he established with Spooky Nook. 

“We’re blessed to have the opportunity to be partners with a big place in Spooky Nook. Sobrang swerte kami na [we] have the same goals and plans, doon pa lang, big win na para sa Kaiju, and we’re planning to continue pa the process to make it a better place for people and future athletes,” he said.

Meanwhile, Spooky Nook Sports President Jim Launer also shared that the company’s Spooky Nook Pennsylvania facility has been privileged to host a number of international events over the past years and with Kaiju Academy, he is optimistic that it will continue its legacy. 

“We hope to continue this trend in Hamilton, alongside the Kaiju Academy and other similar partners. The Nook is known as a top-notch destination for clubs, tournaments and competitions nationally, and we hope to continue to grow that reputation in the international space,” Launer said.