By REYNALD MAGALLON
Filipino big man Kai Sotto is primed to get all the minutes he needs to impress and turn heads as the Orlando Magic begins its campaign against the Detroit Pistons in the NBA Summer League at the Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas on Sunday, July 9 (Manila time).
With Sotto one of the only two legitimate centers in the Magic lineup, the 7-foot-3 beanpole is expected to play significant minutes which could augur well to his bid to become the first full-blooded Filipino to make it to the NBA.
Everything now all depends on how Sotto would make the most of the opportunity, especially that a lot of NBA teams, not just the Magic, are still looking to fill in open roster spots with talents that could emerge from the Summer League.
Sotto, however, will have to go through some sort of baptism of fire when he goes up against legitimate NBA talents in the Pistons’ young frontline that featured James Wiseman and Jalen Duren in the 5:30 a.m encounter.
Sotto will be sharing the frontline chores with 6-foot-11, 24-year-old Robert Baker II from the Magic’s G-League affiliate Osceola Magic last season where he averaged 10.1 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 1.2 assists per game.
Also part of the big man rotation for Orlando is five-year NBA veteran DJ Wilson although all eyes will also be on the Magic’s sixth overall pick Anthony Black and 11th pick Jett Howard in the recent NBA draft.
Coaching the Magic is the head coach of its G League affiliate Dylan Murphy.
