Is Kai Sotto able to tackle the NBA problem? Discover out as Orlando kickstarts Summer season League marketing campaign
Ben Madilynn
Because the Orlando Magic begins their Summer season League marketing campaign, all eyes are on 7-foot-2 Filipino heart, Kai Sotto, as he checks his NBA worthiness. Sotto, who spent the previous yr taking part in within the NBA G League Ignite, showcased his abilities and potential within the developmental league. Now, he goals to show that he has what it takes to make it within the NBA together with his efficiency within the Summer season League.
Sotto’s mixture of dimension, size, and agility make him an intriguing prospect for NBA groups. Regardless of his younger age of 19, Sotto has proven nice enchancment in his sport, significantly in his offensive abilities and shot-blocking skill. Nonetheless, the Summer season League will probably be an vital alternative for him to display his progress and flexibility towards extra skilled and aggressive gamers. If Sotto can proceed to impress together with his scoring, rebounding, and defensive presence within the Summer season League, he may probably appeal to the eye of NBA groups trying to spend money on a promising younger heart.
MANILA, Philippines – Kai Sotto’s quest for an elusive NBA dream is on.
The 7-foot-3 Filipino sensation makes his much-awaited debut with the Orlando Magic within the NBA Summer season League Sunday on the Thomas and Mack Area in Las Vegas, Nevada.
It’s the second shot at making it to the NBA for Sotto after going undrafted final yr and he’s out to maximise the golden alternative beginning at 5:30 a.m. (Manila time).
Standing in the way in which for Sotto’s first take a look at are the Detroit Pistons, who will parade No. 5 rookie decide Ausar Thompson from the Time beyond regulation Elite.
Sotto, from Ateneo Excessive Faculty earlier than going professional in Australia and Japan, will put on jersey No. 70 and is the tallest within the 22-man Magic roster to be dealt with by Dylan Murphy of Orlando’s NBA G League affiliate staff in Osceola Magic.
In the complete Summer season League, he’s the second tallest subsequent solely to the No. 1 total decide Victor Wenbanyama of the San Antonio Spurs, who’s formally listed at a bit of over 7-foot-3.
A number of experiences beforehand cited Wenbanyama, a 19-year-old French, as a 7-foot-5 wunderkind earlier than NBA’s official measurement upon his drafting.
Different lottery picks anticipated to fulfill the 21-year-old Sotto are No. 9 decide Jarace Walker of the Indiana Pacers and Portland Trailblazer’s Scoot Henderson, the third decide, who nonetheless suffered a proper shoulder damage towards the Houston Rockets yesterday.
For the Magic’s half, No. 6 decide Anthony Black from Arkansas and No. 11 decide Jett Howard from Michigan are anticipated to cleared the path.
Orlando takes on Indiana on Tuesday earlier than wrapping up its preliminary assignments towards New York and Portland on Thursday and Friday, respectively.
When it’s all mentioned and accomplished, Sotto is hoping to have earned his stripes for a possible NBA contract that will make him the primary Filipino homegrown participant on the planet’s greatest professional league.
