The Kings may have found the rim-protector they’ve been looking for in the second round of the 2021 NBA Draft.
The Sacramento Kings closed out their draft night by using the No. 39 pick to draft Neemias Queta, a shot-blocking center that last played for the Utah State Aggies.
The thing that stands out immediately about Queta is his size. He’s a legit 7-footer with a massive 7’4 wingspan. And the best part? He knows how to use his length to his advantage.
As a junior at Utah State, Queta posted a block percentage of 13.2%, which was the highest in the Mountain West Conference. He also led the MWC in blocks per game for the 2020-21 season. If there’s one thing he can do, it’s protect the rim. But Queta has also improved as a passer over the last year, which makes him a much more intriguing prospect.
Here’s what Austin Montgomery of SB Nation’s Mid-Major Madness had to say about the newest member of the Kings:
The Kings got one of the best rim protectors in this draft class. Queta’s presence was a catalyst for Utah State’s success under Craig Smith. Utah State finished seventh in the conference the year before Queta got there. During his three seasons at Utah State, the Aggies made two NCAA tournament appearances, won two conference tournament titles, and won a regular season championship. Utah State finished in the top 50 in overall defensive efficiency and in the top 30 in two-point defense, ranking inside the top five in that category twice.
Kings fans could see Queta and Davion Mitchell, the latter of whom Sacramento drafted with No. 9 overall pick on Thursday, as soon as Tuesday, when they’ll host the Golden State Warriors at the California Classic.