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LOGAN — Neemias Queta spent the season dominating the Mountain West Conference. Now, he’s ready to try out the NBA.
Utah State announced on Friday that Queta will declare for the 2019 NBA draft.
Queta averaged 11.8 points and 8.9 rebounds in his freshman season in Logan. The Portugal big man set a Utah State single-season block record with 84 and was named both the Mountain West Defender and Freshman of the Year.
“I want to thank all of you for the most amazing year of my life,” Queta wrote in a message. “Coming from Portugal to Utah as a 19-year-old young man, I never could’ve expected all of the amazing events that would unfold over the next year. From winning the conference championship to making the NCAA Tournament and building lifelong relationships along the way, I’ve loved every minute of it.”
Queta helped lead the Aggies to the Mountain West regular season and tournament championships this season.
He said he planned to hire an agent with the intent of staying in the draft, but did leave the door open to potentially return to school. Queta can come back to Utah State if he pulls out of the draft by May 29.
“We are excited for Neemias to go through this process. It will be great for him to test himself against some of the best basketball players in the world,” Utah State head coach Craig Smith said. “The new rules in testing the NBA waters will give him an accurate assessment of where he stands. This should be a positive experience for him.”
