Utah State’s Neemias Queta Named Finalist For Naismith Defensive Player Of The Year
Mar 23, 2021, 11:22 AM
Neemias Queta #23 of the Utah State Aggies blocks a shot by Kevin McCullar #15 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders during the first half in the first round game of the 2021 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Assembly Hall on March 19, 2021 in Bloomington, Indiana. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
(Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – The Atlanta Tipoff Club announced Utah State center Neemias Queta as a finalist for the Naismith Defensive Player of the Year award.
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Queta was honored as one of four finalists for the award on Tuesday, March 23.
In addition to the Aggie center, Baylor’s Davion Mitchell, Alabama’s Herbert Jones and USC’s Evan Mobley were named as finalists.
This season, Queta led the nation with 97 blocked shots.
🏆 Naismith Defensive Player of the Year Finalists!
🏀 Herbert Jones
🏀 Davion Mitchell
🏀 Evan Mobley
🏀 Neemias Queta👉 https://t.co/BWmSHbzEXW pic.twitter.com/YnO3qyw5dt
— NCAA March Madness (@marchmadness) March 23, 2021
The Utah State standout is one of two players since 1992-93 to finish a season averaging more than 14.5 points, 10.0 rebounds, 3.0 blocks, 2.5 assists, and 1.0 steals per contest.
Queta helped the Aggies reached the Mountain West Conference Tournament title game and a spot in the NCAA Tournament.
USU was eliminated from the NCAA tourney with a Round of 64 loss to the Texas Tech Red Raiders. During the game, Queta had double-double in points and rebounds to go along with six blocks.
Congrats to @nemi1599 on being named a FINALIST for the @NaismithTrophy Defensive Player of the Year‼️
2️⃣3️⃣➡️ https://t.co/do4zDGUAHa#AggiesAllTheWay pic.twitter.com/tfuLh8LF6k
— USU Men's Hoops (@USUBasketball) March 23, 2021
Queta and the Aggies finished the 2020-21 season with a 20-9 record.
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