The clock on the Golden 1 Center Jumbotron read 8:07 p.m., when Neemias Queta, the NBA’s first Portuguese player, arrived at the scorers’ table to make his historic debut during Sacramento’s Dec. 17 matchup against the Memphis Grizzlies. Half a world away, in his hometown of Vale da Amoreira, Portugal, it was a few minutes past 4 o'clock in the morning, but innumerable euphoric, sleepy-eyed fans were up late to celebrate the rookie big man’s first official NBA action and revel in his instant block party.
In his six minutes of floor time, Queta finished with five rebounds, one block, one assist, and one childhood dream fulfilled, proud to represent and inspire his native country, yet eager to be more than an answer to a trivia question.