After an excruciating three-game hiatus, the Orlando Magic look to their 7-foot-3 big man from Las Piñas in their final matchup of the 2023 NBA (National Basketball Association) Summer League against the Portland Trail Blazers. 21-year-old Kai Sotto ascends from the bench, providing 6 points (42.9 FG%), 4 rebounds, 1 assist, and 3 blocks in under 14 minutes.
Kai Sotto just took off his jersey! Filipino fans cheering! Here we go! Finally Kai in an @OrlandoMagic jersey on an NBA court! This is historic! pic.twitter.com/mBezu7M76Z
— TJ Manotoc (@tjmanotoc) July 14, 2023
The former Hiroshima Dragonfly checked in early in the second, recording a swap on a second-chance opportunity from around the rim. Sotto’s no. 70 would take in the roars of the Thomas & Mack Center, commenced by a put-back layup in the closing minute of the third. He would then convert a mid-range bucket and a dunk in the final segments, ending the night with a convincing stat line.
From going undrafted in 2022 to making his Summer League debut on the hardwood, Sotto is recognized as the Philippines’ shimmer of hope, being the first full Filipino who can potentially make it to the NBA. Regardless of his uncertain future in the league, Filipinos around the globe erupt with excitement and praise for their fellow kababayan for achieving such a historic feat.
KAI SOTTO GINULAT ANG PORTLAND. SINABAYAN SI SHAEDON SHARPE! SAPAL ANG INABOT!!! pic.twitter.com/IRyAVvMbAh
— Ryan Alba (@_alba__) July 14, 2023
kai sotto’s first basket in the @NBASummerLeague pic.twitter.com/6opRoc9GZl
— gilasmuse (@pilipinasmuse) July 14, 2023
Kai Sotto with the putback! 🇵🇭 pic.twitter.com/b8oEnNQlSb
— Brett Usher (@UsherNBA) July 14, 2023
KAI SOTTO WITH HIS FIRST SUMMER LEAGUE POINTS pic.twitter.com/SrKqjDmWAd
— The Jover (@305heatbuckets) July 14, 2023
The Philippines when the Orlando Magic finally gave kai sotto the minutes he deserved in the summer league 😭😭😭😭 pic.twitter.com/FPdjwnXoiy
— gilasmuse (@pilipinasmuse) July 14, 2023
That moment when Kai Sotto made his first bucket: pic.twitter.com/3ow7ns7jJZ
— BW (@superbaww) July 14, 2023
Filipino fans after seeing Kai Sotto play 😭🇵🇭pic.twitter.com/vQFlML3uKV
— Non-Professional Sports Fans atbp 🇵🇭 (@NonProSportsFan) July 14, 2023
