When Willie Cauley-Stein was asked as to what advice he can give to Gilas young star Kai Sotto, the Sacramento Kings center, who’s here in the Philippines for the first time, had some inspirational words not only for the Ateneo stalwart but also for those who aspire to achieve their dreams.
“Work, work, work… master your craft. Don’t let nobody tell you what your craft is. I think that’s the most important thing that I could say. How can somebody tell you what you wanna do,” Cauley-Stein told local reporters Tuesday at Dusit Thani Hotel in Makati City.
“I think whatever your craft is, write it down, write how to reach your craft, how to attain what you wanna do,” he added.
The NBA rising star is currently here in the country for the Jr. NBA program and together with WNBA legend Sheryl Swoopes, Cauley-Stein will help identify the top eight boys and girls to be named as 2018 Jr. NBA Philippines All-Stars.
The players to be selected gets a chance to travel to Shanghai in October to watch the 2018 NBA China Games featuring the Philadelphia 76rs and the Dallas Mavericks.
“I’m eager to work with these dedicated young players who have earned the right to be chosen as Jr. NBA All-stars,” Cauley-Stein said. “I’m excited to share my basketball knowledge and help the kids become the best version of themselves on and off the court.”
Cauley-Stein also talked about developing his ‘complete game’ and shared he also wants to be ‘one of the best mid-range shooter’ in the NBA.
“I’m just really focused on developing what I call complete game,” the former University of Kentucky standout said.
“Right now, I’m working on my mid-grange (shooting). I would like to become of the best mid-range shooter in the game, so I work a lot of mid-range (jumspshots) and continue to master the post.”
Meanwhile, Cauley-Stein wants to see the Houston Rockets and the Boston Celtics to go at it in the 2018 NBA finals.
“I’d like to see the Celtics and the Rockets, just for a change of culture,” he said. “It’ll be really cool but it’s probably gonna be the Warriors and (the Cavaliers) and the Warriors are probably gonna take (the championship).”
The 24-year-old big man normed averages of 12.8 points, 7.0 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.1 steals, and 0.9 blocks in 73 games this season for the rebuilding Sacramento Kings.
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