Excitement fills the air as Kai Sotto, the 7-foot-3 towering prospect, inches closer to realizing his NBA dreams. The young Filipino center has taken a significant step towards his goal as he joins the Orlando Magic’s preparations for the highly-anticipated NBA Summer League.
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At the AdventHealth Training Center in Orlando, Florida, Sotto has been sweating it out alongside the Magic’s top rookies, Anthony Black and Jett Howard. Black, the team’s sixth overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, and Howard, selected at no. 11, add to the anticipation surrounding the upcoming Summer League action.
Magic’s Head Coach Jamahl Mosley and Summer League Head Coach Dylan Murphy are both hands-on with the summer squad, shaping the team and guiding Sotto, who stands as the tallest player on the roster. With such seasoned coaches at the helm, the young center is in excellent hands as he prepares to showcase his skills on the NBA stage.
The moment of truth for Sotto arrives on July 9 (Manila time), as he makes his Summer League debut against the Detroit Pistons, led by 2023’s fifth overall pick, Ausar Thompson. The adrenaline is building up as basketball fans eagerly await the moment when Sotto and the Magic take the floor.
Sotto’s journey to this point has been nothing short of inspiring. Despite going undrafted in the 2022 NBA Draft, he refused to give up on his dreams. The 21-year-old talent spent two productive seasons with the Adelaide 36ers in Australia’s National Basketball League, honing his skills and proving his worth.
In the 2022-23 season, Sotto’s impressive performances earned him averages of 6.8 points, 4.5 rebounds, and nearly a block in just 13 minutes per game. Now, he is ready to seize the opportunity with the Magic and make history as the first full-blooded Filipino to grace the NBA courts.
As the NBA Summer League tips off, all eyes will be on Kai Sotto as he showcases his talent, determination, and the passion that fuels his NBA dreams. For basketball enthusiasts and Filipinos alike, this is a momentous occasion filled with excitement and hope. The Magic’s Summer League campaign promises to be an unforgettable journey, and the world will be watching as Sotto takes flight towards greatness.