By REYNALD MAGALLON
Kai Sotto is set to face some of the NBA’s budding talents and top prospects as he suits up for the Orlando Magic in the Summer League set in Las Vegas on July 7-17.
Now that 21-year-old, 7-foot-3 center has gotten his long-awaited call-up, it will be now up to him to make the stint count against some of this year’s top picks, NBA reserves and free agents in hopes of turning the heads of coaches, scouts and executives who will be curious onlookers in the off-season tournament.
Sotto, so far, is expected to man the paint for the Magic along with the team’s slew of rookie guards in No. 6 pick Anthony Black and No.11 pick Jett Howard and last season’s backup guard Kevon Harris.
The Magic have yet to name the rest of their roster as well as their coach but they are already set to play five games in the off-season tiff.
Orlando will take on the Detroit Pistons on July 8 (July 9, Manila time), before taking on the Indiana Pacers on July 10, and the New York Knicks on July 12.
The Magic then face Portland Trail Blazers on July 13 before wrapping up their assignment with a clash against a still unannounced team.
Still, Sotto will be getting a chance to test his mettle against this year’s No.3 pick Scoot Henderson of the Trail Blazers and No.5 Ausar Thompson of the Pacers. He could also face fellow international prospects in Nigerian big man James Nnaji of the Pistons and Oscar Tchiebwe of the Pacers.
