Kai Sotto is already in Orlando and has started training with the Magic for the National Basketball Association Summer League that will open on Friday at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas.
In their social media post, the Magic announced the arrival of Sotto at their training facility at the AdventHealth Training Centre together with rookies Anthony Black and Jett Howard — their sixth and 11th choices in the previous Annual Rookie Draft.
After getting undrafted last year, Sotto worked hard in the National Basketball League in Australia and B. League in Japan to draw the attention of the Magic.
‘Don’t try to do things that you’re not capable of doing. Do what you’re best capable of doing. And I think the more you try to do something you’re not, the more you get exposed.’
Now, he is entering the Summer League as the second tallest player at 7-foot-3, giving him a handsome chance of becoming the first full-blooded Filipino to see action in the NBA should he perform well in this annual summer showcase.
The Magic will kick off their campaign against the Detroit Pistons on 8 July before facing the Indiana Pacers on 10 July, the New York Knicks on 12 July and Portland Trail Blazers on 13 July.
Sotto gets a chance to face 7-foot-4 Victor Wembanyama — the top overall pick in the recent draft — should the NBA decide to pit the Magic against the San Antonio Spurs.
While in Orlando, Sotto will receive an allowance of $1500, or roughly P82,000, and will stay in a hotel with the team during the duration of the Summer League.
Orlando head coach Jamahl Mosley said more than the skills, he wants to see the attitude of the players.
“Don’t try to do things that you’re not capable of doing. Do what you’re best capable of doing. And I think the more you try to do something you’re not, the more you get exposed. So just enjoy the journey. Enjoy the process, but be a sponge every single day,” Mosley told his players.
“They’re just soaking everything up that the coaches are teaching, and the coaches are doing a phenomenal job of breaking down things to the slowest level that it can be. So, they’re able to adjust to the game the right way.”
