Queta’s knee injury reportedly a sprain and dislocation
After collectively holding their breath, Utah State (and Portugal) basketball fans got some good news with the initial results of Monday’s MRI on the knee of Neemias Queta.
Reports from Portuguese basketball reporter Ricardo Brito Reis said the MRI revealed that Queta sprained his knee and dislocated the kneecap. And while a timetable for how long he will be out hasn’t been released at present, it’s possible for Aggie fans to release the breath they’ve been holding in for a few days. Even though the injury could still be severe enough to cut into the start of the season and force Queta to miss time, the season-ending injuries of the ACL or meniscus tear variety have been ruled out at this point.
Initial diagnosis of Nehemiah Queta injury: sprained left knee with kneecap dislocation. The hypothesis of injury to the meniscus and anterior cruciate ligament is ruled out, which is good news. More exams will be done in the coming days. Downtime still to be determined.
— #AggieUp (@AggieUp) July 22, 2019
Though perhaps only a handful of Aggie fans were watching live, Portuguese fans attending the semi-final game of the Division B FIBA European championship had to endure the heart-stopping sight of Queta get helped off the court.
As he fought for what would have been his game-leading 15th rebound in the penultimate game vs Russia, Queta jumped up, landed poorly on his left leg, then collapsed in a heap. He briefly pawed at the ball but then pounded the ground in apparent pain and perhaps frustration.
USU basketball center Neemias Queta injured his left knee at a FIBA tournament in Portugal earlier today. He left the court unable to put weight on his leg and did not return to the game (left late 3rd Q). pic.twitter.com/oFM45hJP3N
— Jason Walker (@thejwalk67) July 21, 2019
The trainers quickly came to help the 6-foot-11 man off the ground and he was ushered off the court, unable to put weight on the injured appendage. Queta returned to the bench during the fourth quarter with a wrap and ice attached to the wounded knee and walked under his own power through the post-game handshake line and subsequent celebrations (though with a very distinguished limp).
Queta was present for the championship game which Portugal won over the Czech Republic and was selected to the All-Star Five of the tournament. Queta averaged 14.3 points, 11.0 rebounds and 2.0 blocks per game throughout the whole of the tournament.
The Utah State athletics department has yet to comment on the injury. Craig Smith, the head basketball coach, was in Portugal supporting Queta during the tournament and was likely alongside his star center during the tense few days before the MRI.