LOCALS IN THE NBA
Neemias Queta Exchanges Words With Paolo Banchero After Clutch Three-Pointer
SALT LAKE CITY – Former Utah State standout Neemias Queta and 2022 No. 1 overall pick Paolo Banchero exchanged words after Queta hit a clutch triple.
With 10 seconds left, Neemias Queta and the Sacramento Kings trailed Paolo Banchero and the Orlando Magic 87-81. Queta was left open at the top of the three-point line when he drilled a triple to cut the deficit to three. The Kings stole the inbounds pass and Keegan Murray hit a three at the buzzer to send the game to overtime.
Neemias Queta cuts the lead to 3️⃣ and KEEGAN MURRAY TIES IT UP AND SENDS IT TO OT#NBASummer Overtime on ESPN pic.twitter.com/gQF8cWUbsi
— NBA (@NBA) July 9, 2022
While in overtime, the Magic were at the free-throw line when Banchero was talking to Queta.
“You wasn’t supposed to hit that three-ball,” Banchero said.
Queta had a fast response.
“You don’t know me, bruh,” Queta said. “You ain’t know.”
"You ain't know"
Paolo Banchero and Neemias Queta chat about his clutch game-tying 3 😅 pic.twitter.com/R1a21PteOt
— NBA (@NBA) July 9, 2022
The game reached double overtime, which would be considered sudden death. The team that scored first would win the game. Orlando was able to pick up the 94-92 win. Both Queta and Banchero had monster performances for their team. Queta led the Kings with 23 points, eight rebounds, three assists and one block, while shooting 8-of-12 from the field.
Banchero also had 23 points, leading the Magic, along with six rebounds, six assists, four steals and two blocks, shooting 6-of-15 from the floor and 11-for-15 at the foul line.
Queta is entering his second season in the NBA after being drafted in the second round with the 39th overall pick by the Sacramento Kings in the 2021 NBA Draft. He played 14 games last season for Sacramento, while also spending time in the G League. Queta averaged 3.2 points and 2.2 rebounds in 14 games played in the NBA last season.
The Kings played in the California Classic Summer League before going to Las Vegas. Queta had 12 points and six rebounds in their first game. He added 14 points and four rebounds against the Miami Heat. Queta finished the California Classic with a double-double, posting 11 points and 10 rebounds against the Los Angeles Lakers.
