Report: Kings Tender Neemias Queta, Make Center Restricted Free Agent
Jun 29, 2022, 9:53 AM | Updated: Jul 22, 2022, 2:36 pm
Neemias Queta #88 of the Sacramento Kings dunks against the Charlotte Hornets during the 2021 NBA Summer League at the Thomas & Mack Center on August 9, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Kings defeated the Hornets 80-70. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
(Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY – The Sacramento Kings tendered a two-way qualifying offer to former Utah State center Neemias Queta, making him a restricted free agent, according to Spotrac’s Keith Smith.
The NBA reporter shared the news on Wednesday, June 29.
“The Sacramento Kings tendered a Two-Way qualifying offer to Neemias Queta to make him a restricted free agent on July 1, a league source tells @spotrac,” Smith tweeted.
The Sacramento Kings tendered a Two-Way qualifying offer to Neemias Queta to make him a restricted free agent on July 1, a league source tells @spotrac.
— Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) June 29, 2022
According to the NBA, a restricted free agent “can sign an offer sheet with any team, but the player’s original team can retain him by matching the terms of that offer. The original team is said to have the “right of first refusal.'”
About Neemias Queta
Sacramento selected Queta with the No. 39 overall pick during the second round of the 2021 NBA Draft.
Before getting picked by the Kings, the center was a standout player for the USU Aggies.
During his time with Utah State, Queta averaged 13.2 points, 9.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 2.5 blocks per contest in 86 games.
NEEMIAS. QUETA. IS. MARCH!
💪💪 @nemi1599#AggiesAllTheWay pic.twitter.com/VduVQaqLjx
— USU Men's Hoops (@USUBasketball) March 8, 2020
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Queta averaged 14.9 points, 10.1 rebounds, and 3.3 blocks at Utah State as a junior. He originally tested the waters after his breakout freshman season with the Aggies but returned to Logan after struggling at the 2019 Draft Combine.
He was one of the most decorated Mountain West Conference players in Utah State history, being named to the All-Mountain West, All-Mountain West Tournament, and All-Mountain West Defensive team in each of his three seasons with the Aggies.
Queta was also named the Mountain West Conference Freshman of the Year, and twice earned Defensive player of the year honors.
After being overmatched in his first trip to the NBA combine, Queta had a breakout performance in June 2021, scoring 15 points for his team on 6-9 shooting, while grabbing eight rebounds, and recording a block.
Utah State's Neemias Queta had an awesome first day at the NBA Combine, shooting the ball well, making some nice passes and showing terrific timing and instincts defensively. Definitely one of the standouts of the day. pic.twitter.com/dajrVbZwi8
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) June 23, 2021
He also measured exceptionally well during the anthropometric testing. Queta was the tallest player at the combine measuring in at 7’0.5 in shoes, owning the longest wingspan at 7’4, and having the highest standing reach at 9’4.5.
Last season, the former Utah State star spent most of the season with the Kings’ G League affiliate, the Stockton Kings.
.@nemi1599 makes his presence felt with two BIG blocks to end the half ✋👑 pic.twitter.com/EwB8oN8Xdk
— Sacramento Kings (@SacramentoKings) December 18, 2021
During the 2021-22 season, Queta appeared in 15 NBA games. He averaged 3.0 points, 2.1 rebounds, 0.4 assists, 0.5 blocks, and 0.1 steals in 8.0 minutes per contest.
