Update (11:58 ET) According to a report from SPORT TV Portugal, Neemias Queta sprained and dislocated his knee, but it doesn’t appear to be an ACL tear.
The star center for Utah State suffered a knee injury while playing for Portugal’s U-20 team in the FIBA European Championships over the weekend.
Queta landed awkwardly while trying to grab a rebound and immediately reached for his left knee. He had to be carried off the floor without putting any weight on the leg, although he was eventually able to walk through handshake lines - with an icepack on his knee - after the game.
USU basketball center Neemias Queta injured his left knee at a FIBA tournament in Portugal earlier today. He left the court unable to put weight on his leg and did not return to the game (left late 3rd Q). pic.twitter.com/oFM45hJP3N
— Jason Walker (@jwalker_sports) July 21, 2019
Queta did not return for Sunday’s final, and he had his knee wrapped while using a cane while watching from the bench. Portugal won the B Division championship despite his absence.
This would be a massive loss for the Aggies, who are a top 15 team in the NBC Sports preseason rankings and the clear-cut favorite to win the Mountain West. The 6-foot-11 Queta averaged 11.8 points, 8.9 boards and 2.4 blocks while shooting 40 percent from three as a freshman.
According to reports out of Portugal, Queta is due to undergo an MRI Tuesday.