The Magic Insider

Filipino Fans Fuming! Magic Refuses to Play Kai Sotto?

Fans of Orlando Magic center Kai Sotto are up in arms after the team has refused to play the pride of the Philippines through two NBA Summer League contests.

Isaiah Deanda

In this story:

Fans of Filipino NBA hopeful Kai Sotto are fuming at the Orlando Magic organization for not playing him in Summer League.

Through two games, Sotto has played zero minutes despite towering over teammates. Sotto stands 7-3, yet he’s been unable to get any minutes at center despite being one of only two players officially designated as centers on the roster.

The former G-League Ignite player has received two DNP designations. Meanwhile, the Magic have lost both of their games in the Summer League. Clutch Points reported that, “The ‘outrage’ was even heard inside the Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas as the Filipino fans shouted “We want Kai Sotto!” during the Orlando – Indiana game.”

Filipino sports fans are notoriously devoted to their athletes. Never was this more apparent than in 2010 when legendary boxer Manny Pacquiao was first elected into office while he was at the pinnacle of his athletic career.

Although the Philippines have found success in fighting, they’ve yet to find professional basketball success, a sport that means so much to the nation that even its favorite son, Pacquiao, has tried his hand at it.

Sotto could be the first player born and raised in the Philippines to make it in the NBA. Last year, he told the NBA what playing in the league would mean for him and his nation.

“It means so much to me and to my fellow Filipinos,” Sotto said of reaching the NBA. “The biggest goal for me is to make it to the NBA.

“When I look at the bigger picture, I want to make it to the NBA to serve as an example and inspiration to the younger players, younger athletes back home in the Philippines. If they can say that if Kai can make it, so can I. That’s a dream come true.”

Though the first two games have been discouraging for fans hoping Sotto will make history in the NBA next season, the head coach of Orlando’s Summer League team, Dylan Murphy, has expressed that all rostered players will eventually get an opportunity to see minutes.

In the meantime, fans of Sotto’s game will anxiously be watching the Magic's third Summer League game tonight and hoping that the 21-year-old big man, once compared to Pau Gasol, finally plays against the New York Knicks. 

You can follow Isaiah DeAnda Delgado on Twitter and Instagram @IsaiahDDelgado.

Want the latest in breaking news and insider information on the Magic? Click Here.

Follow The Magic Insider on Facebook.

Follow The Magic Insider on Twitter.

Want even more Orlando Magic news? Check out the SI.com team page here.

Published
Isaiah Deanda
ISAIAH DEANDA

Home/News