Orlando Magic pre-draft profile: Adelaide 36ers’ Kai Sotto

The Orlando Magic, owners of the Nos. 1, 32 and 35 picks in the NBA draft, will have numerous prospects to increase to their roster on June 23.

Just after kicking off a rebuild in March 2021, the Magic by now have sizeable youthful expertise. Orlando has nine gamers who were drafted in the to start with round considering the fact that 2017 signed to contracts for the 2022-23 year.

Even so, the Magic have apparent requires soon after finishing 2021-22 with a 22-60 file.

As the roster stands, Orlando demands a 3-and-D wing/forward — with an emphasis on responsible 3-issue taking pictures — who has good size and duration for their placement. The Magic also could use one more significant/middle, relying on what transpires with Mo Bamba’s limited totally free agency.

After taking a action ahead in their pre-draft evaluations all through the mid-Could NBA draft blend in Chicago, the Magic are web hosting prospective buyers for routines in advance of the draft.

This tale is portion of a series on gamers the Magic possibly interviewed or worked out in Orlando:

Kai Sotto (Adelaide 36ers — Australian NBL)

Height: 7-foot-3 | Body weight: 240 lbs | Age: 20 | Wingspan: 7-foot-5

2021-22 averages: 7.5 details (50% from the field — 51.4% on 2s, 38.5% on 3s) and 4.5 rebounds.

Relationship: Labored out for the Magic on Could 26

Note: Just mainly because a participant is working out for a team doesn’t necessarily mean they are a target to be drafted. A crew not working out a prospect also does not signify they won’t draft them. 6 pre-draft potential clients are permitted on the court docket at a time and are not authorized on the courtroom with NBA gamers. Some gamers sought feed-back from NBA groups ahead of the June 1 deadline school players experienced to choose no matter whether they would remain in the draft or withdraw and hold any remaining collegiate eligibility. Players have until eventually the June 13 deadline to withdraw their names from the draft and keep draft eligibility for a potential calendar year, which is specially crucial for worldwide players these kinds of as Sotto and other non-faculty prospects.

The buzz: Sotto, a former 4-star prospect from the Philippines, signed with the G League Ignite in May 2020 for the 2020-21 period but did not perform a match for them due to the fact of his obligations to the Philippine nationwide workforce. He and the G League Ignite officially parted methods in February 2021. Sotto signed with the 36ers in April 2021, profitable the NBL’s Fan MVP right after the 2021-22 year finished ahead of declaring for the NBA draft.

Scouting report: A cell significant male who has a escalating deal with-up game offensively. Most of his offensive usage arrived as a roll male in the pick-and-roll or as a cutter. A stable passer, in particular for his measurement, but recorded extra turnovers (1.3) than helps (.5). Built a large share of his 3-issue makes an attempt, but on small quantity (5 of 13 in 23 online games). Could develop into a great rim protector (1.9 blocks for each 36 minutes), but requirements to grow to be a lot more disciplined (6.4 fouls for each 36 minutes) and do the job on his lateral quickness.

Suit: Sotto fits the mildew of players the Magic have proven an affinity for — tall, lanky significant guys who have the probable to showcase multipurpose skillsets. Jonathan Isaac, Mo Bamba and Bol Bol are illustrations of gamers who match that billing. Sotto seems to be driving that trio when they had been drafted improvement-sensible. He is not projected to be drafted but could make an intriguing selection for Orlando’s G League affiliate, the Lakeland Magic, if he is not drafted and does not return to the 36ers.

This posting initially appeared on OrlandoSentinel.com. E mail Khobi Price at khprice@orlandosentinel.com or stick to him on Twitter at @khobi_value.

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