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Orlando Magic Summer League Center Turning Heads After Strong Performance
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- Orlando Magic Summer League Center Turning Heads After Strong Performance
(IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Colin Castleton contributed 21 points, seven rebounds, two assists and one block in 33 minutes in the Magic's 112-105 Summer League win over the Portland Trail Blazers.
As he continues to build experience, he proves further why he deserves a spot in the league.
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On the team's gritty performance down the stretch and in overtime:
"It's gritty. I made sure to emphasize what Coach Bakker has been preaching. The biggest thing is just competitiveness. Everybody has a target on their back. Being in summer league, you're fighting for a spot. Everybody is fighting for a spot. So, just being hungry, getting on the floor, diving on the floor—it doesn't matter how far the ball is. If you can get to it, just dive on the floor, get rebounds, be aggressive. That's what he's preaching and that's what we're doing. We got the win today off that."
On how the roster's Osceola Magic chemistry helps them out on the court:
"It's huge. Being in summer league, we've already been in a couple summer leagues, but playing a full season together is huge. Just being able to have that connection. They can hit me in the pocket, I'll make reads out of there. I like setting screens for all my teammates—Alex, Lester, Phil, a bunch of guys who we've played together. I feel like it helps us down the stretch."
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On what stands out about his teammate Lester Quinones:
"He's charismatic. He makes a lot of shots. He's a great teammate to have, great guy, energy guy. And he's just a good human to be around. I think just him making good reads is the next step for him. He's been making really good reads off the ball screen downhill, getting to the rim, shooting threes. So, I think he's shown all three levels. He's a great player to be around. I love playing with him for sure."
On his on-court and off-court bond with Lester Quinones:
"It's big. He talks to me every time we're on the court—what he sees, what he doesn't see. He's a very targeted guy with his three-point ability. So, me being a big guy who likes setting screens and playing in the pocket, I feel like I just got to listen to him. I'm all ears. Whatever I see, I can give him adjustments and help get him open. We have built that bond over this past season. We're continuing to grow on that and we just got to keep winning these games."
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On his dialogue and relationship with new head coach Sean Sweeney:
"When he first got the job, we talked a little bit, went back and forth. He's been in the gym every day when we were in Orlando before we came here, and he's been here every single summer league game showing us support, telling Coach Bakker things we need to work on, things we need to be better at. He's just very defensive-minded, gritty. The same thing Coach Bakker is preaching is the same thing Coach Sweeney is preaching. Just feeding off of what Coach Bakker says is exactly what Coach Sweeney wants from us—just going out there and doing it every game. He's been great. He gives us pointers and we've talked a couple times for sure."
On the competitive atmosphere of Las Vegas Summer League:
"It's just a different energy. There's a lot of people out here watching games. Every team's out here. So, just everybody around the world comes and plays hard. Like I said before, you got a target on your back. You're trying to get a contract, an opportunity, wherever that's at. Everybody's got to go as hard as they can, so it's just a really gritty environment."
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On his Panamanian heritage and the goal to play for their national team:
"It's huge. My dad was born there, so half my family's from there. My grandparents live out there, and I have a lot of uncles and cousins that live out there as well. I want to play for the national team—that's my goal. This summer I wasn't allowed to, I had to take care of summer league and things like that. But my goal is next summer to suit up for the national team, so I'm super excited there. Right after summer league ends, I might head out there for a couple days to see my family and everybody, just spend some time. It's huge for sure."
On the rising Latino connection and diversity within the Magic organization:
"A lot of guys with diversity, a lot of guys who are from different places. We come together. Building roots with their countries and basketball, putting basketball on the map in those countries, I think, is big. Lester's got a big following from there. I'm building my following from where my family's from as well. Once I play on the national team, too, they'll understand I'm into that more and I want to play for their country, my country, and be able to play. For sure."
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