Utah State’s Queta Placed On Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Award Watchlist
Oct 18, 2019, 11:31 AM | Updated: 11:50 am
Neemias Queta #23 of the Utah State Aggies reacts to their 61-78 loss to the Washington Huskies in the first round of the 2019 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Nationwide Arena on March 22, 2019 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
(Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
LOGAN, Utah – Utah State center Neemias Queta was placed on the preseason watchlist for the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Award watch list.
The award recognizes college basketball’s top center each season.
Queta was named to the list by the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame on Friday, October 18.
Congrats to @nemi1599 on being named to the Kareem Abdul Jabbar Award Watch List!
➡️ https://t.co/uiBhePe6jE#AggiesAllTheWay pic.twitter.com/Wq49evAzP2
— USU Men's Hoops (@USUBasketball) October 18, 2019
“The final Men’s Starting Five watch list we are revealing is that of the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Center of the Year Award,” said president and CEO of the Basketball Hall of Fame, John L. Doleva. “Mr. Abdul-Jabbar is unparalleled when it comes to his accomplishments at both the collegiate and professional level. As an advocate for education and character, he brings an important perspective when evaluating talent and we greatly value his input.”
Basketball Hall of Fame Names Twenty Centers to Watch List for 2020 @kaj33 Award. #KareemAward
📸: Via Getty Images pic.twitter.com/aZ1zoGdTSe
— Basketball HOF (@Hoophall) October 18, 2019
Queta was honored as one of 20 preseason candidates for the award.
The Aggie big man was recognized as the Moutain West Conference Defensive Player of the Year and Freshman of the Year last season. He helped lead Utah State to a 28-7 record and an appearance in the NCAA Tournament in his first year in Cache Valley.
He posted 11.8 points and 8.9 rebounds for Utah State in 2018-19. He recorded a USU record 84 blocks as well.
Queta was invited to the NBA Draft combine following his freshman season but decided to return to Logan for another season.
The sophomore and the rest of the Aggies squad host the College of Idaho for an exhibition game on Wednesday, October 30 at 7 p.m. (MDT).
