Sotto: Impressive numbers.
Orlando Magic Facebook photo
Sotto impressive in NBA debut with Orlando
THE Philippines’ Kai Sotto finally made his long-awaited debut for the Orlando Magic in the NBA 2K24 Summer League in Las Vegas, Nevada on Friday.
And although the Magic lost 71-88 to the Portland Tralblazers, the 7-3 Filipino sensation surely made the most of the minutes given him to the delight of adoring fans at the Thomas & Mack Center.
Sotto’s numbers — six points on 3-of-7 shooting from the field, four rebounds, one assist and three blocks in 13 minutes and 23 seconds of action.
The numbers are not enough to save the day for the Magic, who suffered their fourth straight setback in the league’s summer showcase.
But the 21-year-old Filipino did not disappoint.
“It feels good to finally be out there. It’s my first time here in the Summer League, and it’s really more fast paced. It’s competitive,” Sotto was quoted as saying.
“I just wanted to impact the game. Sadly, we didn’t win, but we learned a lot from this game,” added the Las Piñas-born mainstay of Gilas Pilipinas.
“It’s really a blessing to be here. ”
Sotto, who is hoping to become the first homegrown Filipino to play in the NBA, was not fielded in by Orlando coach Dylan Murphy in the Magic’s first three games against the Detroit Pistons, Indiana Pacers and New York Knicks — all losses.
The Filipino finally got his moment against the Blazers.
After sitting out the entire first quarter, Sotto checked in at the start of the second quarter.
Sotto, however, struggled in his first few minutes on the floor and even committed a defensive three-second violation.
Although he missed his lone field goal attempt, Sotto made his presence felt by pulling down two rebounds and blocking one shot in five minutes and 37 seconds.
The Filipino center returned to action with 1:56 left in the third quarter with the score at 44-65 in Portland’s favor.
Sotto scored his first basket — a put back layup – – with 54 seconds remaining following a miss by teammate Tyger Campbell.
He scored four more points in the fourth period — a short jump shot from an assist by Quinndary Weatherspoon at 8:32 mark and a wide-open two-handed dunk off a feed from Campbell at 1:18 mark.
Michael Devoe topscored for the Blazers with 18 points.
Duop Reath, Shaedon Sharpe, and Jabari Walker added 12 points each for Portland, which played minus 2023 NBA rookie pick Scoot Henderson.
Dexter Dennis finished with 16 points for the Magic, who also played without No. 6 pick Anthony Black.
Sotto hopes to continue to get more minutes when the Magic play the Boston Celtics on Sunday, July 16 (6:30 a.m., Manila time).
