{"id":51766,"date":"2023-07-14T12:58:44","date_gmt":"2023-07-14T16:58:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=51766"},"modified":"2023-07-14T12:58:44","modified_gmt":"2023-07-14T16:58:44","slug":"a-global-game-filipino-rookie-kai-sotto-could-make-nba-history","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2023\/07\/14\/a-global-game-filipino-rookie-kai-sotto-could-make-nba-history\/","title":{"rendered":"A Global Game: Filipino Rookie Kai Sotto Could Make NBA History"},"content":{"rendered":"

As the NBA has expanded its influence, <\/span>the Philippines\u2019 support for the sport is among the best in the world<\/span><\/a>, filled with passionate fans who live and breathe basketball. Though many Filipinos have watched with wonder as the league\u2019s superstars visit the country\u2014with some even playing <\/span>in exhibition games<\/span><\/a> in front of thousands\u2014they are now looking to impact the game they love in their own way.<\/span><\/p>\n

The league has featured several notable players of Filipino descent throughout the years, with <\/span>Jalen Green<\/b><\/a> and <\/span>Jordan Clarkson<\/b><\/a> serving as <\/span>recent examples<\/span><\/a>. However, there has never been a Filipino-born player in the NBA.<\/span><\/p>\n

One undrafted rookie is looking to change that. <\/span>Orlando Magic<\/b><\/a> center <\/span>Kai Sotto<\/b><\/a>, who made his NBA Summer League<\/a> debut Wednesday night, is attempting to bridge the gap between the Philippines and the Association. He has the nation behind him every step of the way.<\/span><\/p>\n

A Global Game: Filipino Rookie Kai Sotto Could Make NBA History<\/h3>\n

Sotto\u2019s Journey<\/h3>\n

Sotto stands out as a prospect, both literally and figuratively. The seven-foot-two center hails from Las Pi\u00f1as, a city inside the main region of Metro Manila. He <\/span>became invested in the sport from a young age<\/a>. He had<\/span>\u00a0a storied high school career at Ateneo de Manila, culminating with a UAAP juniors division championship in 2018 (where he won Finals MVP) and MVP honors the following season.<\/span><\/p>\n

Sotto\u2019s long-winded journey has taken him from the Philippines to the U.S. and other parts of the world. He first arrived in the States in 2019 to train at The Skill Factory in Atlanta. Afterwards, he played a season with the NBA\u2019s G League Ignite before returning to the Philippines for the 2021 FIBA Asia Cup. He then spent two seasons with the NBL\u2019s Adelaide 36ers, <\/span>facing former NBA players in various contests<\/span><\/a>. In 2022-23, he averaged 6.8 points and 4.5 rebounds per game on 51% shooting from the field.<\/span><\/p>\n

The big man\u2019s NBA aspirations were close to fruition when he declared for the 2022 Draft<\/a>, but he did not hear his name<\/span>\u00a0that night. After another overseas stint\u2014this time with the Hiroshima Dragonflies of the Japanese B League\u2014Sotto joined the Magic\u2019s Summer League team, coming one step closer to his dream and the one shared by fellow Filipinos.<\/span><\/p>\n

2023 Summer League: Sotto\u2019s Best Chance<\/h3>\n

Sotto has an opportunity to display his skills on both ends of the floor in Las Vegas. He holds promise as a young big who effectively scores inside the arc and protects the paint just as well. He\u2019s designated as one of two centers on the Magic\u2019s Summer League roster, but instead of racking up meaningful minutes, he accumulated DNPs in the team’s first three games.<\/span><\/p>\n

Through it all, Sotto remained resilient, telling ESPN he has enjoyed Summer League and is doing his best to be a team player.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c<\/span>I’m just trying to show the coaches that I’m a good teammate, I’m a good player,\u201d he <\/span>said<\/span><\/a>. \u201cI’ll be ready whenever they call my name. I’ll be a positive guy on the corner, on the bench. I’m just like a sponge, just trying to learn from everybody, from all the things that’s happening to us.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

He also expressed his gratitude towards Filipino fans cheering him on at the Thomas & Mack Center, saying, \u201cI’m really happy to see a lot of Filipinos here come and watch our game and support. It’s just a blessing each day to represent my country and to have a lot of people believe in me.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Conversely, his supporters had grown frustrated with Orlando\u2019s coaching staff. As the team fell to 0-3 in Vegas, fans flooded social media with the hashtag \u201c<\/span>#LetKaiPlay<\/span><\/a>.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The wait was over Wednesday night, as Sotto checked in during the second quarter of Orlando’s game against the Portland Trail Blazers<\/strong><\/a>. In 13 minutes, Sotto put up six points (3-7 FG), four rebounds, three blocks and one assist. He was still getting acclimated to the game’s speed but provided solid production nonetheless.<\/p>\n

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Kai Sotto two-hand throwdown \ud83d\udd28\ud83c\uddf5\ud83c\uddedpic.twitter.com\/eF2mcWgNNB<\/a><\/p>\n

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) July 14, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n