How Queta, Merrill, And Childs Played At Summer League

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – The Las Vegas Summer League has wrapped, and that means the college stars from the state of Utah have completed offseason audition for NBA teams.

Three locals competed at summer league as former Utah State Aggies Sam Merrill and Neemias Queta, and former BYU forward Yoeli Childs found themselves on rosters.

Here is a breakdown of how all three played in Las Vegas, and what their NBA future looks like.

Neemias Queta: Utah State – Sacramento Kings

After being drafted by the Sacramento Kings with the 39th pick in the second round of the NBA draft, there were high expectations on Queta heading into summer league.

Ultimately what the Kings got was a mixed bag. The former Aggie had modest averages of 5.0 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 1.0 blocks in five outings.

However, Queta did help lead the Kings to the summer league championship with a perfect 5-0 recording, including starting in the team’s final game.

Neemias Queta sends the shot away, 08/13/2021 pic.twitter.com/BwPOo3MWo0

— Sacramento Kings (@SacramentoKings) August 14, 2021

Queta’s best game came against the Charlotte Hornets when he scored nine points and grabbed six rebounds on an efficient 4-5 shooting. But, despite starting for the Kings, the former Mountain West Conference Defensive Player of the Year managed to score just two points on 0-7 shooting during his final two games in Las Vegas.

Though he was drafted relatively early in the second round, Queta signed a two-way contract and will have to prove himself with the Stockton Kings in the G League.

Sam Merrill: Utah State – Memphis Grizzlies

It was hardly an ideal start for Merill at summer league as the second-year guard was traded by the Milwaukee Bucks to the Memphis Grizzlies after just one championship-winning season.

Despite the rocky start, Merrill made the most of his opportunity with his new team averaging 11.3 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 3.3 assists in four games with the Grizzlies.

Sam Merrill drills a clutch three in Jason Preston’s face pic.twitter.com/EtPBo4XdRT

— Ensign Hoops (@EnsignHoops) August 17, 2021

The former Aggie’s best game by far came in his final outing against the Los Angeles Clippers when he scored 20 points on 8-16 shooting while grabbing five rebounds and handing out three assists.

The Grizzlies reportedly picked up Merrill’s $1.5 contract for the 2021-22 NBA season, but with a crowded roster, he could be a candidate to land elsewhere before the season begins.

Yoeli Childs: BYU – Los Angeles Lakers

Childs had arguably the most difficult job at summer league of any former Utahn as he played for the Lakers without the benefit of a guaranteed contract.

After going undrafted in 2020, Childs played with the Erie BayHawks during the Orlando G League season before joining the Lakers this summer.

Yoeli Childs throws it down on Brandon Boston Jr pic.twitter.com/XQzR7Id8ll

— Ensign Hoops (@EnsignHoops) August 14, 2021

The former Cougar played well for the Lakers averaging 7.0 points and 6.3 rebounds in just under 15 minutes per game.

Childs best game came in the Sacramento Summer League scoring nine points and grabbing eight rebounds on 4-8 shooting. Ideally, the former Bingham High star will sign a two-way contract with an NBA team before training camp begins, but otherwise, he may find more financial stability playing overseas next season rather than staying in the G League.