Kai Sotto has been invited to participate in the NBA Summer League due to his attendance at many NBA training camps over the past few weeks.
The news that Sotto has been invited to play for the Orlando Magic in the pre-season of the NBA, which will take place in Las Vegas from July 7 to July 17, was announced by the NBA Philippines on Friday evening.
The Filipino center player will try his best to make an impression on the big stage, where a number of scouts will watch the young stars compete for a chance to sign a contract with an NBA team.
“After getting invited by the Orlando Magic to participate in the 2023 NBA Summer League to take place July 7-17 in Las Vegas, Kai Sotto has another shot at making it to the NBA,” the NBA Philippines said in a post. “The 2023 NBA Summer League is scheduled to take place in Las Vegas.”
Sotto has been putting himself out there by attending practices for NBA clubs, including the Dallas Mavericks, the New York Knicks, and the Utah Jazz.
According to Phil Handy, an assistant coach for the Los Angeles Lakers who is now on an Asian tour, Sotto’s aspirations to play in the NBA are contingent on the opportunities he is given.
“It [the NBA selection] may happen this summer, or it could happen the following year. “It just depends on the opportunity,” Handy stated while responding to questions from the press.
Sotto, striving to become the first player born in the Philippines to play in the NBA, participated in the NBA Draft in 2022 but was not selected. Despite his efforts, he was not chosen.
After going undrafted, he signed with the Hiroshima Dragonflies of the Japan B.League and then returned to play for the Adelaide 36ers of the National Basketball League. Afterward, he played in Japan.
The product of Ateneo just recently inked a contract extension with the Dragonflies, but during the offseason of the Japan B.League, he is free to try out for any NBA team.
Last month, Sotto was quoted as saying, “The NBA is my biggest dream, so I will continue to work hard and challenge myself in summer league in the United States this summer.” “The NBA is my biggest dream,”
In addition, Gilas Pilipinas has selected Kai Sotto as one of their 21 players to compete in the FIBA World Cup. If desired, Sotto and Jordan Clarkson might play together once more.
