Kai Sotto's decision to forego college basketball and instead play in the G League was met with excitement and applause, but the Filipino teenager knew very well that he has a challenging road ahead of him.

Sotto, 18, confirmed through his social media accounts that he will join the NBA G League, where he can get topnotch coaching both on and off the court, and play with some of the best up-and-coming talents in the United States.

In the process, he turned down offers from some Division 1 schools, but Sotto was confident that he made the right decision.

"We have many options available but after much thought, I believe this option is the best route for me to get closer and faster to that (NBA) dream," said Sotto, who is hoping to be the first full-blooded Filipino to make it to the NBA.

"Here, I will be playing with some of the very best and I will have even more resources and support. I am committed to work on developing my game on a much bigger stage," he added.

• FULL STORY: Kai Sotto confirms move to G League

Sotto has already shown flashes of NBA-level skill, as he can shoot from long distance and spread the floor as a big man. The issue with him since his high school years in Ateneo de Manila University has always been about his strength, as the teenager has a lanky frame.

• READ MORE: Kai Sotto already has NBA skill set, says Pacers' Bayno

Sotto, who stands at 7-foot-2, said he is working every day to get stronger. He has been training at the Peak Performance Project (P3) in Atlanta, and he happily reported during a conference call that he now weighs 229 pounds.

"Until now, 'yun nga 'yung wino-work on ko," Sotto said of his body and strength. "Sa tingin ko naman, kakayanin ko naman, siyempre."

"Kasi yun nga, I'm just trying my best lang every day para mai-ready ang sarili ko pagdating sa mga ganyang level ng competition," he added.

• READ: NBA now up to 10 teams back for voluntary workouts

The physicality of the G League is just one of the things that Sotto needs to gear up for. Their select team -- which includes top recruits Jalen Green, Daishen Nix and Isaiah Todd -- will play against other G League teams and some national teams as well.

• READ: Top recruit, Fil-Am Jalen Green joins G League in landmark decision

Sotto is aware that he won't immediately be the focal point of their team. After all, his teammates are all high-profile recruits in their own right. Green, in fact, is considered the top prospect in the Class of 2020 and is already being tipped as a future top overall pick in the NBA.

That he won't be the best player in their team is of no issue to Sotto.

"Noong nag-start ako maglaro ng basketball like, sa Ateneo and sa TSF (The Skill Factory), hindi agad ako 'yung naging star player," he said. "I think naman na madali na para sa akin mag-adapt ng role and lagi lang akong maghahanap ng mga spots or mga bagay kung saan ako magiging effective and kung saan ako makakatulong sa magiging team namin."

Moreover, being in such an environment, surrounded by other high-level players, can only be good for the teenager.

"Sa tingin ko naman, 'yung magdadala sa amin is 'yung competitiveness namin," Sotto explained. "'Yung sinasabi niyo nga na magagaling na players talaga 'to."

"And sa tingin ko 'yung competitiveness namin is maghe-help sa amin na hilahin 'yung teammates namin pataas. So kung ikaw magko-compete ka against great players everyday, you'll also improve," he added.

The year ahead won't be easy for Sotto, but the teenager is determined to stay the course and make history as the first homegrown Filipino to make it to the NBA. While he knows he has his share of detractors and doubters, his focus is on those who have supported him in his journey -- especially his family.

"I think it's really a big thing for me and my family to be the first one to join the NBA G League," said Sotto. "And, think I always use this as a motivation and an inspiration that I'll have to work really hard to make them proud."

"I just look at my family and my family back home and just look at them, to tell myself that I have to make them proud and I have to exceed their expectations."

Sotto first turned heads during the 2016 Jr. NBA Philippines camp, when he already stood at 6-foot-9 to tower over the rest of his age group. From there, he committed to play high school basketball for Ateneo, and led the Blue Eaglets to the UAAP title in 2018.

He moved to the United States in 2019 to focus on his NBA dream, signing up with the Atlanta-based The Skill Factory where he began to make a name for himself. Sotto would participate in the 2020 Basketball Without Borders camp, and was eventually rated a four-star recruit by most services in the US.

(For more sports coverage, visit the ABS-CBN Sports website).