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

After much waiting, Kai Sotto has finally made his debut in the 2023 NBA Summer League, suiting up for the Orlando Magic in their 88-71 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers on Friday in Las Vegas.

Despite the loss, one that sent the Magic to a 0-4 record in the tournament, the 7-foot-3 Filipino wunderkind said it just felt good to be able to showcase his skills in front of NBA scouts and coaches.

Sotto finished with six points, four rebounds, three blocks, and one assist in his first game after being benched in their three previous 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 said in an interview.

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

Sotto noted the pace of the game as one of the things he’s learned in the past week being 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 also said he likes to work more on his defense as what he has shown in the game against the Trail Blazers, where he rejected guard Shaedon Sharpe halfway in the second period. Sotto finished the game 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 said.

"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 also sent his appreciation to the Philippine basketball community, who continues to cheer for him in his attempt to be the first homegrown talent 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