From career landmarks in the professional ranks, to high school signing classes and big fundraising goals, these are the top headlines involving Utah State sports from late last week and over the 4th of July weekend.
Neemias Queta Signs Contract Extension
Former Utah State star center Neemias Queta signed his first major contract extension in the NBA, agreeing to stay with the Boston Celtics on a four-year, $56 million deal. With this signing, the Portuguese center cemented his place in the league after spending _ years behind the scenes awaiting his chance to prove his basketball prowess.
Originally taken in the 2021 NBA Draft with the 39th overall pick by the Sacramento Kings, Queta played under two-way contracts for the Kings, and later the Celtics, until April 2024. It was then that the Celtics, who had signed Queta after he was waived by the Kings in 2023, converted his two-way deal to a full contract. That paved the way for him to be a more consistent backup in the 2024-25 season, in which he appeared in a career-high 62 games.
The 2025-26 season served as Queta’s breakout year. Cap constraints forced Boston to cut salary in the 2025 offseason, sending away the players getting minutes ahead of Queta (namely Al Horford and Kristaps Porzingis). That left the starting job to Queta, who went on to average 10.2 points, 8.4 rebounds and 1.3 blocks, impressing the Celtics’ front office and its fanbase, who campaigned for Queta to receive the Most Improved Player of the Year award.
Aggies in NBA Summer League
Six players with Utah State ties are on NBA Summer League rosters this year: Drake Allen (Detroit Pistons), Ian Martinez (Cleveland Cavaliers), Darius Brown (Phoenix Suns), Isaac Johnson (Philadelphia 76ers), Max Shulga (Boston Celtics) and Steven Ashworth (Oklahoma City Thunder). Games began on Friday between the California Classic and Salt Lake City summer league events. However, only one of the four players has been in action so far. None of the Pistons, Cavaliers or 76ers are participating in the California or Salt Lake City events, leaving just Ashworth with OKC. The former Aggie point guard played 14 minutes in the Thunder’s blowout 111-74 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies. He accumulated just two points on 1-for-4 shooting to go with three assists and one rebound.
The Las Vegas Summer League, which includes participation from all NBA teams, begins on Thursday. Here’s a breakdown of all of the games former Aggies are scheduled to play in (all times are Mountain Time). All games are available on NBA League Pass, though each game will be listed with the primary national or streaming broadcast partner.
Drake Allen (Pistons)
- Thursday, July 9 vs Philadelphia 76ers at 3:30 p.m. (Prime Video)
- Sunday, July 12 vs Detroit Pistons at 2 p.m. (Prime Video)
- Monday, July 13 vs New York Knicks at 2 p.m. (Prime Video)
- Wednesday, July 15 vs Phoenix Suns at 4 p.m. (ESPN U)
Ian Martinez (Cavaliers)
- Friday, July 10 vs Indiana Pacers at 2:30 p.m. (ESPN 2)
- Sunday, July 12 vs Detroit Pistons at 2 p.m. (Prime Video)
- Monday, July 13 vs Miami Heat at 6 p.m. (Prime Video)
- Wednesday, July 15 vs New Orleans Pelicans at 3:30 p.m. (Prime Video)
Darius Brown (Suns)
- Friday, July 10 vs Portland Trail Blazers at 9 p.m. (ESPN U)
- Sunday, July 12 vs New Orleans Pelicans at 1 p.m. (ESPN 2)
- Monday, July 13 vs Milwaukee Bucks at 8 p.m. (Prime Video)
- Wednesday, July 15 vs Phoenix Suns at 4 p.m. (ESPN U)
Isaac Johnson (76ers)
- Thursday, July 9 vs Philadelphia 76ers at 3:30 p.m. (Prime Video)
- Saturday, July 11 vs Indiana Pacers at 3:30 p.m. (Prime Video)
- Tuesday, July 14 vs Houston Rockets at 2 p.m. (Prime Video)
- Wednesday, July 15 vs Orlando Magic at 2 p.m. (ESPN U)
Steven Ashworth (Thunder)
- Monday, July 6 vs Atlanta Hawks at 5 p.m. (ESPN and Prime Video)
- Tuesday, July 7 vs Utah Jazz at 7 p.m. (ESPN U and Prime Video)
- Friday, July 10 vs Los Angeles Lakers at 8 p.m. (Prime Video)
- Sunday, July 12 vs Golden State Warriors at 4 p.m. (Prime Video)
- Tuesday, July 14 vs Denver Nuggets at 7 p.m. (ESPN)
- Thursday, July 16 vs Dallas Mavericks at 2 p.m. (Prime Video)
Max Shulga (Celtics)
- Friday, July 10 vs Toronto Raptors at 7 p.m. (ESPN)
- Sunday, July 12 vs Charlotte Hornets at 3 p.m. (ESPN 2)
- Monday, July 13 vs Atlanta Hawks at 4 p.m. (Prime Video)
- Wednesday, July 15 vs Sacramento Kings at 6 p.m. (ESPN 2)
USU Volleyball Announces 2026 Signing Class
First-year head coach Keith Smith announced the full 2026 signing class, comprising 12 new players, eight transfers and four incoming freshmen.
The incoming transfers are Solia Angilau (New Mexico), Sami Blackett (Utah Valley), Lauren Bodily (West Virginia), Addy Cook (Wyoming), Silina Damuni (BYU), Lily LaFlesch (Wyoming), Olivia Ruy (Maryland) and Sophie Scott (California). The freshman class consists of AC Gibbs (The Woodlands, Texas), Taytum Nelson (Orem, Utah), Justyna Novakova (Jablonec Nad Nisou, Czech Republic) and Madi Rich (Highland, Utah).
Utah State released further details on each of the 12 incoming players on their website.
USU Athletics Announces $2 Million Match Campaign
An anonymous donor promised to match all donations made to Utah State Athletics during July, up to $2 million. Utah State Director of Athletics Cam Walker noted this in multiple media appearances last Wednesday, with Utah State announcing it soon after.
“I can’t believe the support,” Walker said in an interview with the Full Court Press. “And it’s longtime donors that have been committed that are doubling down. And it’s new donors that are coming out saying, it’s time that I get involved. And they’re doing so in droves and in significant ways. And it’s building a lot of momentum.”
