USU’s Queta Named Finalist For Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Defensive Player Of The Year Awards
Jan 29, 2021, 2:34 PM
Utah State center Neemias Queta (Courtesy of Eli Lucero / The Herald Journal)
(Courtesy of Eli Lucero / The Herald Journal)
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame named Utah State center Neemias Queta a finalist for the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Naismith Defensive Player of the Year awards.
Queta was named as a finalist for the honors on January 28 and January 29.
The Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Award is given annually to college basketball’s top center.
Congrats to @nemi1599 on being named a Top-10 Finalist for the @Hoophall Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Award.
VOTE HERE ➡️ https://t.co/eRIUVtHL1M#AggiesAllTheWay pic.twitter.com/PoPHFH8BHp
— USU Men's Hoops (@USUBasketball) January 29, 2021
Award Finalists
Queta was named as one of 10 finalists for the award.
The USU big man was one of 15 players named as a finalist for the Defensive Player of the Year honor.
In addition to Queta, the other finalist for the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar award include Iowa’s Luke Garza, Illinois’ Kofi Cockburn, Michigan’s Hunter Dickinson, Minnesota’s Liam Robbins, Providence’s Nate Watson, Purdue’s Trevion Williams, USC’s Evan Mobley, West Virginia’s Derek Culver and Western Kentucky’s Charles Bassey.
#KareemAward (Top C) Watch List from @Hoophall! 💪
Kofi Cockburn
Luka Garza
Hunter Dickinson
Liam Robbins
Nate Watson
Trevion Williams
Evan Mobley
Neemias Queta
Derek Culver
Charles Bassey pic.twitter.com/UogmJmYoQM— NCAA March Madness (@marchmadness) January 29, 2021
On the Naismith Defensive Player of the Year watch list, Queta is joined by Bassey, Mobley, as well as Baylor’s Jared Butler, Davion Mitchell and Mark Vital, Pittburgh’s Justin Champagnie, Virginia’s Kihei Clark, Kansas’ Marcus Garrett, Richmond’s Jacob Gilyard, Alabama’ Herb Jones, Coastal Carolina’ DeVante’ Jones, Tennessee’s Yves Pons, Clemson’s Aamir Simms, and Michigan’ Franz Wagner.
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Fans can submit their votes for the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Award on the Hall of Fame’s website.
Finalists will be narrowed to the top five players in February. The award’s winner will be announced on April 9.
Neemias Queta in 2020-21
This season, Queta is averaging 12.4 points, 9.3 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 2.9 blocks per contest.
They. never. learn. 😤.
⚡️ @nemi1599#AggiesAllTheWay pic.twitter.com/HOFMWIMirY
— USU Men's Hoops (@USUBasketball) January 22, 2021
He’s helped the Aggies to a 13-5 record to start the season, including 10-2 in Mountain West Conference play.
