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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Basketball devider Kai Sotto in NBA Summer League: I'll be ready whenever they call my name

Kai Sotto in NBA Summer League: I'll be ready whenever they call my name

Published Jul 11, 2023 04:13 pm
Filipino NBA hopeful Kai Sotto remains positive despite being benched in the Orlando Magic’s back-to-back losses in the 2023 NBA Summer League. The 7-foot-3 center failed to see action in both defeats, first an 89-78 beating from the Detroit Pistons before falling to the Indiana Pacers, 108-85, a few days later. *Kai Sotto hopes to impress in Orlando's next game in the NBA Summer League. (Orlando Magic Facebook)*

Magic coach Dylan Murphy went for forwards DJ Wilson and Robert Baker II for the job, leaving Sotto on the bench on both occasions. However, Sotto refused to sulk and instead had only good things to say about his experience in the preseason league so far. “It’s been a fun experience so far. I’m just trying to show the coaches that I’m a good teammate and I’m a good player. I’ll be ready whenever they call my name. I’ll be a positive guy on the corner, on the bench. I’m just like a sponge, man. Just trying to learn from everybody, from all the things that’s happening to us,” said Sotto in an interview with the NBA. The 21-year-old went undrafted in the 2022 NBA Draft, and even then, the Gilas big man soldiered on and kept himself in the best form, signing with Australian club team Adelaide 36ers before joining a pool of FIlipinos in the Japan B.League, striking a deal with the Hiroshima Dragonflies. “As I say, it’s my first time in the Summer League, so everything’s pretty new,” Sotto said. “So I find everything to be quite cool. So just to see a lot of people watching and just a lot of, you know, talent in one gym is pretty cool,” he added. It’s not only Sotto himself who is itching to showcase his talent and skills in front of the NBA scouts, but also the overseas Filipinos and fans who went to the match and broke out with a “We want Sotto” chant during a free throw in their match against Indiana. Sotto has always acknowledged the support and is looking to make up for the slack in their next game against the New York Knicks on Thursday, July 13 (Manila time). “I mean, I feel like everywhere I go, I represent the Philippines, so I just have to be aware of my actions,” Sotto said. “And as I said, you know, here in the Summer League, I just got to put in the work. And stay ready when the coach calls my name. So I’ll be really happy to see a lot of Filipinos come here and watch our game. And you know, it’s just a blessing each day to represent my country and to have a lot of people believe in me,” he concluded.

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