Despite only logging 14 minutes through three games in the ongoing 2022-23 NBL season, Kai Sotto has shown noticeable improvement in his game, according to Adelaide 36ers head coach CJ Bruton.

In an interview with News Corp's The Basketball Show, Bruton said he wants to win games for the 36ers while prioritizing Sotto's development.

"His skillset helps us, and while you haven't seen it a whole lot, I'm also playing to win games. I need to be successful; I want this city to be successful, I want Kai to keep improving," he said.

"I'm not here to hurt the kid, I care for this kid and getting better and getting to his goal, which is ultimately playing in the NBA."

"Yes, you do need to take the floor a little bit more, I need him to keep impacting the 36ers the right way that I need for us to be successful. For him to keep growing, I have more coaching staff with me this year to impact his development and growth, and when he does touch the floor, bit by bit he keeps improving."

Bruton received a lot of criticism from Filipino fans on social media since Sotto has seen limited minutes this season.

However, Bruton assured that the 7-foot-3, 20-year-old Sotto is expected to log more minutes in Adelaide's next games this November.

After all, Sotto decided to use his second-year option with the team after going undrafted in the 2022 NBA Draft.

"Everyone thought he was going to come back and be a starter, I didn't see the guy for six months of the off-season until he came back a few weeks beforehand," he said.

"The improvement of my team to the improvement of Kai wasn't on the same par, but I didn't go air that to all of everybody, but he is developing in the right way. I think he's really going to help us over the next month or so."

"He's doing everything, I mentioned in video, just his impact, and while it was a very short impact, they were winning plays for us. He's getting better each and every day."