Kai Sotto on his NBA Summer League debut: ‘It’s nice to finally go out there and play’

After a lot ready, Kai Sotto has lastly made his debut within the 2023 NBA Summer League, suiting up for the Orlando Magic of their 88-71 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers on Friday in Las Vegas.

Despite the loss, one which despatched the Magic to a 0-4 file within the event, the 7-foot-3 Filipino wunderkind mentioned it simply felt good to have the ability to showcase his expertise in entrance of NBA scouts and coaches.

Sotto completed with six factors, 4 rebounds, three blocks, and one help in his first recreation after being benched of their three earlier losses to Detroit, Indiana, and New York.

“It’s a good first game, just to go out there and compete. We didn’t win but we learned a lot from this game. I think we did pretty good defensively. We just got to bounce back,” Sotto mentioned in an interview.

“It’s nice to finally go out there and play.”

Sotto famous the tempo of the sport as one of many issues he’s discovered prior to now week being a part of Summer League.

“I think the game in the Summer League is just more fast-paced. Everybody’s trying to prove that they can play in an NBA game and the environment is pretty fast-paced.”

The Gilas Pilipinas pool member additionally mentioned he likes to work extra on his protection as what he has proven within the recreation in opposition to the Trail Blazers, the place he rejected guard Shaedon Sharpe midway within the second interval. Sotto completed the sport with three blocks.

“Obviously, I’m one of the tallest players out there so I gotta help my team and protect the paint when I’m in there,” the 21-year-old Sotto mentioned.

“Offensively, you know, it will come to me. I’m a good teammate so I’m really a willing passer for a big guy so I’m just gonna let the game come to me offensively but defensively, that’s where I’m doing my work.”

Sotto additionally despatched his appreciation to the Philippine basketball neighborhood, who continues to cheer for him in his try and be the primary homegrown expertise to make it to the NBA.

“It feels good, obviously, to anybody that’s playing. To have a lot of guys cheering for you, it’s a blessing,” he added.

“For me, it’s just to do my part to show my 100-percent effort every game so hopefully I’ll make them happy and proud.”

—Bea Micaller/JKC, GMA Integrated News