NBA Draft: Neemias Queta and four other second-round sleepers

2021 NBA Draft Second Round Sleepers: 1. Neemias Queta, C, Utah State

There are a number of players who would have been on this list even a month ago, yet the buzz has elevated them clearly into the first round. Players such as Nah’shon Hyland, Miles McBride and Joshua Primo are now possibly, if not likely, going to go in the first round.

One player who has not risen up draft boards, strangely enough, and despite one high-profile backer (Athletic paywall), is Utah State center Neemias Queta. The pride of Barreiro, Portugal is one of the best rim protectors to come out of the draft in years, the anchor of perennial Top 5 defenses at Utah State.

The 7’0″ center has a 7’4″ wingspan and absolutely envelops the paint while on defense. He is a superb weakside shot blocker and strong enough to take on direct attacks inside. The big concern with Queta is whether he will be able to defend in space, or if he will be continually roasted. The good thing for Queta is that if he is beat on the perimeter, his huge strides and length mean he can block or at least bother shots from behind.

On offense Queta is a work-in-progress, boasting all of the size and talent but needing an improvement of skill. He is a fluid athlete, a good rebounder and a legitimately good post scorer. He won’t be a knockdown shooter from outside, but he is a good passer who loves to run dribble handoffs, an NBA staple.

Queta may not be an elite shooter, but he is elite at the rim, and that is still very valuable in the modern NBA. Whatever team takes him will need a plan to protect him in space, but otherwise, he has an incredible level of potential to wall off the paint defensively, and to be a ball-moving big on offense.