USU’s Queta to enter NBA Draft

After helping the Utah State men’s basketball team to a Mountain West Conference title and an NCAA Tournament appearance in his first season as an Aggie, USU freshman center Neemias Queta announced he is declaring for the NBA Draft.

Queta made his decision public by posting to Twitter and Instagram Friday evening.

“First off, I want to thank all of you for the most amazing year of my life,” he wrote. “Coming from Portugal to Utah as an 19 year old young man, I never could’ve expected all of the amazing events that would unfold over the next year.”

🙏🏿❤️ pic.twitter.com/jfJGYEwelU

— Quetão 🔥🤷🏿‍♂️ (@nemi1599) April 12, 2019

“After discussing with my family and coaching staff, I have decided to pursue my dream of playing in the NBA and will declare for the 2019 NBA draft,” Queta continued. “I plan to hire an agent with full intent of staying in the draft, while also retaining my eligibility should I choose to return to school.”

A new change to NCAA rules allows for a player to test draft waters and hire an agent, while still maintaining the option to return to school. This decision must be made by May 29. It also allows for a player to go through the entire draft process and still return should they go undrafted. In the past, once a player hired an agent they forfeited all remaining NCAA eligibility.

During his freshman season at Utah State, the Portugal native averaged 11.8 points per game along with 8.9 rebounds per game. He also set the Utah State program single-season blocks record with 84.

The 6-foot-11 center earned the title of MWC Freshman of the Year, along with being named conference Defensive Player of the Year.

“I would like to thank my coaches, specifically Coach Smith and Coach Peterson, for believing in me, teaching me, and for encouraging me to be the best that I can be, EVERYDAY,” Queta wrote. “I would like to thank my family and friends in Portugal who have supported me since day one. I would like to thank all of my teammates who have become my brothers throughout this journey. Most of all I would like to thank God, I am so grateful to him for putting me in this situation.”

The NBA Draft Combine will take place from May 15-19, and the NBA Draft is set for June 20 in Brooklyn, N.Y.

Twitter: @jadenjohnson00