Sotto benched in NBA Summer League game

KAI Sotto did not play a single second in Orlando Magic’s first game in the National Basketball Association (NBA) Summer League on Sunday, July 9, 2023, much to the dismay of Filipino basketball fans.

The 7-foot-3 Filipino was listed as Did Not Play-Coach’s Decision in the Magic’s 89-79 loss to the Detroit Pistons at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas.

Orlando only used 10 players, including Anthony Black and Jett Howard, the Nos. 6 and 11 picks in this year’s NBA Draft.

Detroit’s twin towers Jalen Duren and James Wiseman led the Pistons with 17 and 16 points, respectively.

Wiseman, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, also collected a game-high 11 rebounds.

Kevon Harris had 21 points from 8-of-13 shooting, while Black finished with 17 points, five rebounds, five assists and three steals for the Magic. (RSC)