Magic’s Kai Sotto Finally Shines in Summer League Debut with Stellar Defense

It was a point of redemption for the 7-foot-3 Filipino phenomenon, Kai Sotto, as he finally graced the NBA Summer League’s court after being benched in Magic’s first games.

Throughout the week, fans chanted, “We want Sotto,” and when the moment came, he didn’t disappoint. He played exceptionally, leaving audiences in awe.

The basketball scene couldn’t get enough of this rising star. He made his presence felt with every block, dunk, and rebound. Scroll down as we expose the electrifying game from Kai Sotto’s debut at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas.

In his highly-awaited first game, he proved that he is more than just a towering player inside the court. He unleashed a defensive onslaught, scoring an impressive 6 points in his 13 minutes of court play.

Kai Sotto throws it down in his debut!

The 7'2" Filipino big man had 6 PTS (3/7 FG), 4 REB, 3 BLK in 13 MINS off the bench pic.twitter.com/KZ8kPl1Vga

— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) July 14, 2023

In addition, he managed to pull 4 boards. Dylan Murphy, Orlando Magic’s coach, applauded his tenacity and fierce ball protection. One of the standout moments of the game was when Sotto sealed away Shaedon Sharpe’s shot.

While he seemed confident with each play, the weight of anticipation was also off his shoulders. But it didn’t just stop there —Kai headed on to block two more shots in the last quarter, leaving the Portland Blazers struggling to score some more.

Kai Sotto: Not Just Your Average Scoring Machine

On top of his scoring skills, he also showed his unselfish playmaking capacity. Despite his towering height, he showed his willingness to pass the ball to other players in a good position to score.

With his goal of becoming the first Filipino-born player in the NBA, his commitment and flexibility have certainly left a mark on the NBA league.

Kai Sotto speaks to the media. pic.twitter.com/Ebcg0Yrqdi

— Orlando Magic (@OrlandoMagic) July 14, 2023

Furthermore, his NBA career has been nothing short of exceptional. After being drafted in 2022, he went on a basketball journey to Australia to further build his skills.

Now, with his SummerLeague launch, he’s on the verge of achieving his dream of joining the NBA teams. Moreover, his shifting from overseas local plays to a fast-paced NBA summer league is no small feat.

Still, Sotto embraced the challenge with unwavering determination. As he looked back on his experience, he emphasized how every player on the court was eager to prove their value in the NBA scene.

As the Summer League continues, all eyes are on Orlando Magic’s team to decide whether they’ll be signing Soto in a two-way deal. Since there are only two slots available, the competition is stiff.

Nevertheless, Sotto stays grateful for the fans’ support, and he aims to give it his all, no matter the result. He humbly stated, “I’m just happy to be supported by a lot of people, and that’s one of the things I think about every day.”

His humility and gratitude, along with his remarkable talent, make him a player to watch out for as he elevates his game. As for everyone, we eagerly await what the future holds for this Filipino sensation.

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