Kai Sotto finally got to play in the NBA Summer League on Friday morning (Manila time) at the Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada.
In hopes of impressing NBA scouts and executives, Sotto made the most of his limited playing time, showcasing his defensive prowess.
In his 13 minutes of play, the 7-foot-3 big man made an impact, recording six points, four rebounds, and three blocks in the Magic’s fourth consecutive Summer League loss.
“I didn’t play a lot, but I focused on asserting myself as a defensive presence, especially in the paint. Being one of the tallest players out there, or maybe the tallest, I need to help my team protect the paint when I’m on the court,” Sotto explained.
Although he had not seen any playing time in the Magic’s previous three Summer League losses to Detroit, New York, and Indiana, Sotto emphasized the importance of making the most of every possession on the floor.
Despite his impressive three blocks in just 13 minutes of playing time, the former Adelaide 36er acknowledged that he must continue to work on his defensive game if he hopes to become the first full-blooded Filipino to make it to the NBA.
“I need to maximize each and every possession, especially when I’m out there. Both offensively and defensively, I need to be solid. But for me, defense is the key factor. I have to keep working on my off-ball defense, on-ball defense, protecting the paint, and guarding perimeter players. My focus is to impact the game defensively,” Sotto added.
During the past week, Filipino fans have flocked to the game venue to show support for their compatriot.
Moreover, the current Hiroshima Dragonfly has seen the support he has garnered online.
And the 21-year-old NBA hopeful draws inspiration from them as he hopes to be the first homegrown Filipino to play in the big league.
“I am very happy to be here. It’s a blessing to experience all of this and I am grateful for the support of so many people. That’s one of the things I think about every day. I always have something to look forward to and push myself for, and hopefully, I can make them proud,” expressed Sotto.
Sotto will have one final opportunity to impress in the Summer League when Orlando faces the Boston Celtics on Sunday morning (Manila time) at the same venue. (Ernest Martin Tuazon)
