Sotto to play for Orlando at NBA Summer League

Kai Sotto has been in training in Los Angeles as he gears up for his best shot at fulfilling his NBA dream.

Sotto’s agent Tony Ronzone confirmed the 218cm centre has accepted an invitation to play with the Orlando Magic at the NBA Summer League team which starts next month.

“It’s great! He’s earned a spot, and now he’s got to play well and represent the flag of the Philippines,” his agent Tony Ronzone told Philstar.com.

Sotto is scheduled to fly to Orlando on June 30 to join the Magic’s NBA Summer League team, which begins its practice on July 2.

The Filipino’s camp chose Orlando among the few NBA teams who extended an NBA Summer League invitation because the Magic presented the best opportunity for the prospect to showcase his talent.

“Now, Kai has to do his part,” Ronzone said.

The Magic call-up was a surprise as Sotto did not have any workouts with the franchise this year.

Sotto only attended three mini-camps for Utah Jazz, Dallas Mavericks and New York Knicks before the NBA Summer League call-up.

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But the Magic were one of the dozen teams Sotto visited last year during the pre-draft process.

Sotto will team up with the Magic’s incoming backcourt rookies — sixth overall pick Anthony Black of Arkansas and Jett Howard, the son of former NBA player and current Michigan coach Juwan Howard, selected at No. 11 — and other undrafted free agents and their two-way players in Orlando’s Summer League team.

The Magic are an up-and-coming team, with last year’s No. 1 overall pick Paolo Banchero, cousin of PBA star Chris Banchero, leading the way under former NBL import and head coach Jamahl Mosley.

Mosley and Ronzone worked together in Dallas when the former was an assistant coach and defensive coordinator while the latter was the Director of Player Personnel.  

Sotto’s chance to get a training camp invitation will hinge on his Summer League performance and what Orlando decides to do with their frontcourt players.

Starter Wendell Carter, Jr. is the only Magic centre under contract, while his backup, Goga Bitadze, has a $2.06 million team option.

The versatile Bol Bol has a $2.2 million non-guaranteed salary and the Magic have until June 30 to guarantee or decline their contracts. Meanwhile, Mo Wagner is set to enter unrestricted free agency.

The Magic’s NBA Summer League campaign tips off on July 8 in Las Vegas.

Orlando will play at least five games at the Thomas & Mack Centre:
July 8 vs Detroit 5.30pm (July 9 -  10.30am Adelaide time)
July 10 vs Indiana 8.30pm (July 11 – 1pm Adelaide time)
July 12 vs New York 8pm (July 13 – 12.30pm Adelaide time)
July 13 vs. Portland 9pm (July 14 – 1.30pm Adelaide time)
Fifth Game TBD

For the full story head to >> Sotto set for Magic stint at NBA Summer League.