The NBA draft will take place in the early hours of Friday, with the hope that the Portuguese post will be among the 60 promises to sign the contract.
Of the 35 European countries that have had or have had NBA players, Portugal could finally make it to the North American League if 22-year-old Nimias Barbosa Keta is selected in the Friday dawn Draft (1:00, broadcast SportTV +) before the end of three seasons. Utah State in the NCAA.
In two rounds, the top 60 competitors from the US and other countries will be called to the Brooklyn Barclays Center (not all of them will be present) by Commissioner Adam Silver or runner-up Mark Tatum. It should be the one who will dictate the names of the second round, which is expected to include the Portuguese giant, the son of Guinean parents, but born in Lisbon and raised in Barreiro. Ahead of the big event, Queta has figured in forecasts of major North American analysts (so-called “false drafts”), even including Jonathan Givoni (ESPN), who nominates him as the 60th heading candidate for Indiana.
After graduating from Barreirense and Benfica, the international moved to the United States after being voted best position in the European B U-20 in 2018. In Utah, he had a successful college career with titles, honors and two appearances in March Madness — a third was impossible due to the pandemic.
After he again declared himself eligible for the draft – in 2019 he renounced his name – Nehemia Keta found an agency (BDA Sports, owned by Luka Doncic), showed himself in the NBA Draft and did a series of training sessions. “with the best teams (Sacramento, Toronto, New York, Phoenix, Milwaukee, Los Angeles Lakers, Charlotte, Philadelphia and Oklahoma).” areas, clearing tables and hitting the ball, “he said at the end of the session with the Lakers, who only have 22 picks. In contrast, the Thunders have the most choices (six), followed by the Knicks (four), Hornets and Raptors (both But beyond the final destination, since the market does not stop and there are exchanges during the event, it is important that an unprecedented entry into national basketball materializes after João “Betinho” Gomes came close in 2007.
From afar, but very well dressed
Following its virtual release last November, the NBA Draft is returning to full-time, but with a limitation: only 20 players are invited to the Green Room at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn. Most likely they will be chosen as Cade Cunningham, named number one. Keta is expected to oversee the event at her agency’s California premises, but without disregarding clothing, one of the highlights of the evening of the ceremony. Therefore, through the Portuguese Basketball Federation, the Portuguese Post will wear the national costume made by the famous Paulo Battista. “Of course they will be dressed the best!” – said the tailor FPBtv.
