THE BALL – Neemias Queta in Portugal: «Experiencing what you always wanted to do is indescribable» (NBA)
“Probably when I activate my minutes. I felt very happy, it was something I always wanted. Be part of the NBA, play. Being ‘drafted’ was very good, but, at the same time, getting into the game and experiencing what you’ve always wanted to do is indescribable”, revealed, this Thursday, Neemias Queta when asked about the moment that marked him the most of all. his first season in the NBA.
Main star of the event ‘Liga Betclic – Dá o Salto’, promoted by the feminine masculine federation, sponsor of the Portuguese Leagues first, and also with the presence of foreigners Diogo Brito and Márcia Costa, not surprisingly, or Portuguese playing in the NBA, who has been on vacation in Portugal since last week for the Sacramento set, went to get his memory on the night of December 17, 2021, 1.01m from the break between the Kings and Grizzlies, played at the Golden 1 Center, in Sacramento, at the age of 22, he lived the moment he had dreamed of, replacing Chimezie Metu.
In the second half he returned to the field and ended up being used 7.44m, recording 5 rebounds, 1 assist and a throw-in disarm. He just needed to score the first points, even though he threw, but failed, and feel the taste of victory, as the Kings would be 105-124.
«There were a lot of people thinking about minutes and moments, and then he can finally use it, it was very useful», he added the season that divided the King of the league also playing in the secondary G League.
At the Porto de Lisboa basketball court, in Alcântara, for more than 40 minutes Neemias answered the most questions from the press before playing a little in 3×3 games with other celebrities, such as comedian António Raminhos and DJ Kamala, both passionate about the sport. and fans of Queta, and in which Brito and Márcia also entered.
Already about what you felt the first time you stepped on a court of the NBA, did not hide «that at the beginning it was something strange. Young. I didn’t really know what to expect, but then, after a few games and hours, people get used to it and start to loosen up more and with time they realize that they belong there. From there, it’s about continuing to work, seeing the level to which it can grow and seeing what margin of progression to achieve what you want», she says.
And what was the next one that gave you the most pica to face? «The player that gave me the most pleasure to face was probably the [Joel] embiid [poste dos 76’ers]. In that game, I got two fouls in 1 minute, but that’s normal. It also gave me to continue to work and more, eventually, to be able to make a good match against him and the best way to play against one of the best in the NBA and in the world», contour.
As for the difficulties that the young man from Vale da Amoreira, 2.13m tall, does not hide, “I would say that it is a catch of everything”. «Being away from the family, working every day continuously in the pavilion, upgrading everything. A year alone was really difficult, but at the same time, it was equally gratifying because I was able to grow both on and off the field».
Still to be defined, Neemias Queta could be debuted by the Senior National Team, because during the season, when he equips the corners of the preparation and qualifying games, he is in the NBA and even in the summer, he has to be present in the fields and summer leagues – because it happened a year – because, from its evolution and until July, any of them already have a free agent, the Kings always as an offer that depends on the right of additional option from another club.
“It is a matter of time, but it will be something very soon. I really want to be part of the national team and help Portugal reach the highest level. I think we have good conditions for the future, in the medium and long term, to be at the highest level in Europe and do good European championships and manage to achieve a bit of what national basketball lacks».
And does the National Team have the capacity to reach where it has already reached the National Team, but with younger layers? “I would say yes. We have everything, all the conditions to be able to dream. The sky is limited, we have generations of good kids playing at the highest level and players playing outside Portugal at a very young age. It’s just to keep working and evolve this type of talent that exists and keep the focus that we have maintained now”, he concluded.